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The country has a long tradition of crafting beautiful items, and there are ten
categories of Fine Arts:
Pa-dein: the art of goldsmithing or silversmithing
Pa-bae: the art of blacksmithing
Pa-din: the art of making items from
bronze, copper, or brass
Pa-pu: the art of carving wood or ivory
Pa-put:
the craft of turnery
Pa-chi: the art of painting
Pan-yun: the art of
making lacquerware
Pan-tot: the art of making decorative work in relief with
stucco
Pan-ta-mot: the art of making stone sculptures
Pa-yan: the craft
of a mason
Others categories include
Pan-ywe: the art of lapidary
Pan-ei: the art of tracery of floral work in wood or ivory sculpture Markets
in Yangon
 Bogyoke
Aung San Market - First built in 1926, and situated in the heart of Yangon,
there are nearly 1700 shops and stalls selling luxury items, handicrafts, food
stuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods.
New
Bogyoke Market - Sells imported textiles, household appliances, medicines
and general merchandise
Thiri
Mingala Market - A large variety of fresh and salt water fish, the market
also operates as a wholesale vegetable market Best
Buys
Bamboo
products - The bamboo should be properly matured, as new green bamboo can
split and house insects feed on the dried sap.
Coconut
masks - Make for interesting decorations and come in all shapes and sizes.
Folk
dolls - Reflect the numerous national races in Myanmar and come in many different
varieties.
Gold
embroidery - Necessarily expensive, but some very fine pieces can be found.
Gold
leaf - Manufacture of gold leaf is concentrated in Mandalay as a cottage industry.
Small pieces of gold bullion are laboriously beaten out for days until it reaches
the gossamer-like thinness required to gild the images in pagodas. Sold in little
packets and is used as an expression of reverence for temple images.
Jewellery
- Though design and workmanship is not generally up to international standards,
there are some unusual and attractive pieces. Gold needs to be checked to make
sure that it is not merely gold plated silver. All gem and jewellery purchases
need to be made through a government-authorised dealer, who must issue an official
receipt, which is required for export of such items.
Jewels
- Quality of rubies, sapphires, and jade, etc. can be difficult to gauge. The
advice of an expert or proper training is useful, but not always
Kalaga
embroidered tapestries - These beautifully ornate creations make magnificent
wall decorations when suitably framed, though quality can vary greatly and older
pieces tend to look more aesthetic.
Lacquerware
- This beautifully crafted product comes in many decorative and utilitarian forms,
shapes, and colours. Older pieces can be particularly attractive.
Leather
crafts - Very attractive items from small purses to large hard wearing bags
which will last for years.
Longyi
- The men's traditional longyi is a much more comfortable alternative to tight
jeans or trousers.
Shan
style shoulder bags - Attractive and practical.
Silverware
- Older pieces are particularly attractive.
Stone
carvings - Though lovely pieces are available for the house or garden, shipping
can be complicated and the advice of a local person is advised.
Teakwood
furniture - Tempting and beautiful pieces are made by local craftsmen and
can be made to order. The advice of a local resident should be sought to check
the regulations in the country to which the piece is to be shipped.
Traditional
puppets - Puppetry is a long respected tradition, and there are a wide variety
of puppets and marionettes that make attractive decoration and unusual gifts.
Tribal
handicrafts - A very wide variety of silver, bone, wood, silk and cotton handicrafts
are available, but are best purchased on location in the mountain areas.
Weaving
- Handmade goods can be found all over the country, varying in fabric, design,
and texture from region to region.
Woodcarving
- Many pieces are available, both old and new, in different woods, including teak.
Note: The export of antiques is prohibited,
and the export of loose gemstones, jewellery & silver requires an official certificate
from the vendor. To avoid any confiscation of such goods purchased elsewhere (Thailand,
for instance) they should be clearly indicated on customs declaration forms on
arrival.
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