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Navigating Risk in Myanmar

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 Civil Conflict and Curfews Following the military coup in February 2021, travelling to Myanmar currently carries significant risks due to the ongoing civil conflict. Violent clashes between military forces and resistance groups have escalated into a nationwide civil war, resulting in widespread instability and unpredictability. A real risk that travellers might be impacted by is the introduction of a strict curfew in major cities like Yangon and Mandalay, where movement is prohibited after dark. Yangon in particular has a curfew in place from 1 am to 3 am . This curfew is strictly enforced, and violations may result in arrest or confrontation with military personnel. Jimi15, Reddit The likelihood of encountering risks associated with civil unrest, such as protests and roadblocks, is still quite high. Although central tourist spots may appear relatively safe during daylight hours, the situation could rapidly change after sunset when security forces become more vigilant, and streets...
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Mind Your Clothing

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 Dress Codes and Culture Shock in Buddhist Myanmar One of the most immediate and unexpected forms of culture shock I experienced in Myanmar is the expectation around modest clothing, in particular with the dress code when visiting the Buddhist religious sites like the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. In a country where Buddhism is deeply imbedded into the daily lives of its citizens, how you dress is less about your own personal style, but its more of a sign of respect for their sacred spaces and for those who worship there. By East.Lucky, Flickr Unlike the more lax dress norms I'm used to in Australia, Myanmar's religious customs calls for conservative clothing when entering into sacred temple grounds; this means no shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, essentially anything that doesn't cover your knees, shoulders and stomach. As Petri Hottola puts it, when people are confronted with new and different experiences, "the emotional dominance tends to lean toward the negative rather...
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Shimmering Jade

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 The Dark Side of Myanmar's Jade Trade Boasting a reported 21,000 jade mines in Hpakant and Khamti, in a 2016 report of Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Enterprise, Myanmar's jade trade has long been celebrated as a symbol of natural beauty and ancient craftsmanship, a gleaming industry that fuels the country's economy. Yet beneath all the allure of the precious stones lies stories of exploitation, conflict, and human hardship that remains hidden from the public eye. By John Sai Luu For many communities in Myanmar's northern regions, jade mining is not a choice but a reality marked by hazardous working conditions and human rights abuses. Investigative reports by the 'Business & Human Rights Resource Centre' reveal the industry is deeply entangled with issues of drug addiction, slave labour, and environmental degradation, where vulnerable workers become ensnared in cycles of exploitation. The report highlights the details of how Myanmar's bloodstained jade min...
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Beyond the "Land of Golden Pagodas"

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Myanmar Given its nickname as the "Land of the Golden Pagodas", it is not a uncommon occurrence to view Myanmar as a single image of Buddhist temples steeped in unchanging tradition, given the country's abundance of golden stupas among the flatlands and deep-rooted Buddhist culture, many tend of gloss over the extraordinary diversity and complexity of its people, languages, and history. The essence bound to Myanmar is a timeless, spiritual enclave, untouched by modernity and defined solely by its religious monuments. By  SteveAllenPhoto /  Getty Images Such a portrayal can be challenged by looking more closely at Myanmar's multifaceted cultural and geographical landscape. In urban centres like Yangon and Mandalay, for instance, contemporary art scenes and bustling nightlife defy the notion of a purely traditional society. Meanwhile, Myanmar is home to over 135 ethnic groups , each with their own distinct languages, customs, and traditions. Like Doreen Massey reminds u...
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Dancing Tradition

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 Myanmar's Living Heritage In the cultural heart of Mandalay and Yangon, traditional dance performances are far more than artistic displays, they serve as a testimony of Myanmar's historical and communal identity. On warm evenings, you'll often find local dancers in ornate costumes performing in public squares or temple courtyards, turning everyday spaces into makeshift theatres of storytelling. By Mmcele These performances, including well-known formats like "Zat Pwe" and "Shwe Man Thabin", bring ancient myths, heroic legends, and Buddhist and Nat philosophies to life through graceful movements and intricate gestures. As described in the the Asia Society Article , these extended performances not only celebrate artistic mastery but also serve as communal events where stories are shared amongst different generations and people. The Zat Pwe's endurance through the night reflects  a deep-seated cultural commitment, offering both locals and tourists a uni...
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Shwedagon Pagoda

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 The Timeless Beacon of Myanmar In the bustling heart of Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda towers above the cityscape with its radiant gold body. a sight that has to embody the spiritual and cultural identity of the country. This majestic structure isn't just a tourist attraction however, it is a ongoing testament to the deep-rooted Buddhist heritage and resilience of its people. Image by Adobe Stock Legend states that the pagoda houses relics of the Gautama Buddha, a sacred connection that has made it a revered site for over 2,600 years . While having the distinction of not only being the world's oldest pagoda, it also lays claim to being the world's most expensive, being encrusted with over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, and covered completely in gold, anywhere from 9 to 60 tons of precious metals . By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen But to understand the importance of the Pagoda to devotees, it helps to think about how symbols work in creating national or religious identiti...
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