Myanmar: Kingdom of Gold is an epic photographic journey through one of world's greatest civilizations. Myanmar is much more than an exotic travel destination. It is home to one of humanity's greatest cultural and artistic traditions, deeply rooted in Buddhism and stretching back in time nearly 3000 years. Myanmar boasts hundreds of golden temples that are among the finest examples of architecture in the world. They are studded with magnificent sculptures, bas-reliefs, and frescoes, and literally covered in gold. In the case of Myanmar, mere description is not enough. Seeing is believing.
Burma is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia and was once one of its richest. Under successive military regimes, however, the country eventually ended up as one of the poorest countries in Asia, a byword for repression and ethnic violence. Richard Cockett spent years in the region as a correspondent for The Economist and witnessed firsthand the vicious sectarian politics of the Burmese government, and later, also, its surprising attempts at political and social reform. Cockett’s enlightening history, from the colonial era on, explains how Burma descended into decades of civil war and authoritarian government. Taking advantage of the opening up of the country since 2011, Cockett has interviewed hundreds of former political prisoners, guerilla fighters, ministers, monks, and others to give a vivid account of life under one of the most brutal regimes in the world. In many cases, this is the first time that they have been able to tell their stories to the outside world. Cockett also explains why the regime has started to reform, and why these reforms will not go as far as many people had hoped. This is the most rounded survey to date of this volatile Asian nation.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country located in Southeast Asia. It borders China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos. The country has a diverse population of over 54 million people, comprised of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Myanmar is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and unique culture. The country's economy is largely based on natural resources such as oil, gas, precious stones, and timber. Despite facing political turmoil over the past several decades, Myanmar is making efforts to transition into a more democratic nation and attract foreign investment. With its unique cultural heritage and natural beauty, Myanmar is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists.
A stunning showcase of exceptional and rare works of Buddhist art, presented to the international community for the first time The practice of Buddhism in Myanmar (Burma) has resulted in the production of dazzling objects since the 5th century. This landmark publication presents the first overview of these magnificent works of art from major museums in Myanmar and collections in the United States, including sculptures, paintings, textiles, and religious implements created for temples and monasteries, or for personal devotion. Many of these pieces have never before been seen outside of Myanmar. Accompanied by brilliant color photography, essays by Sylvia Fraser-Lu, Donald M. Stadtner, and scholars from around the world synthesize the history of Myanmar from the ancient through colonial periods and discuss the critical links between religion, geography, governance, historiography, and artistic production. The authors examine the multiplicity of styles and techniques throughout the country, the ways Buddhist narratives have been conveyed through works of art, and the context in which the diverse objects were used. Certain to be the essential resource on the subject, Buddhist Art of Myanmar illuminates two millennia of rarely seen masterpieces.
This text provides a thorough examination of the history of Myanmar from Neolithic times to the present. Myanmar has experienced a seemingly endless series of conquerors, dating from prehistoric times through the reign of Kublai Khan's Mongol forces beginning in the late 1200s, all the way through the modern era, when it was subject to both British colonial control and invasion by the Japanese during World War II. The History of Myanmar provides a detailed, historical overview of the key people, places, and events in this often-overlooked country's past and present. It examines the history of Myanmar, from Neolithic times to all of its ruling dynasties to the modern era in a chronological manner, providing a contextual framework for the further exploration of its complex history. This text pays special attention to the unique circumstances that led to the formation of the modern nation of Myanmar.
For decades Myanmar has been portrayed as a case of good citizen versus bad regime – men in jackboots maintaining a suffocating rule over a majority Buddhist population beholden to the ideals of non-violence and tolerance. But in recent years this narrative has been upended. In June 2012, violence between Buddhists and Muslims erupted in western Myanmar, pointing to a growing divide between religious communities that before had received little attention from the outside world. Attacks on Muslims soon spread across the country, leaving hundreds dead, entire neighbourhoods turned to rubble, and tens of thousands of Muslims confined to internment camps. This violence, breaking out amid the passage to democracy, was spurred on by monks, pro-democracy activists and even politicians. In this gripping and deeply reported account, Francis Wade explores how the manipulation of identities by an anxious ruling elite has laid the foundations for mass violence, and how, in Myanmar’s case, some of the most respected and articulate voices for democracy have turned on the Muslim population at a time when the majority of citizens are beginning to experience freedoms unseen for half a century.
A new first-edition DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Asia's top travel spot, now available in PDF. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Myanmar (Burma) is your indispensable guide to this beautiful part of the world. This fully updated guide will lead you straight to the best attractions Myanmar has to offer. Myanmar boasts mesmerizing temples, more than a thousand miles of pristine beaches, and a welcoming culture--all just a short flight from Bangkok--and DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Myanmar (Burma) includes everything you'll need to know. Suggested itineraries highlight the sights not to be missed and help travelers plan trips by length of stay, including a two-week tour through Myanmar, two days in Yangon, and three days in Mandalay. Travelers also will find Information on cruising the Ayeyarwady River, from luxury cruisers to triple-decker ferries. And, practical information covers all the needs of travelers in this still-emerging destination, including local etiquette, banking and currency, getting around the country, and more. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Myanmar (Burma) is organized by region, and expert travel writers explain the stories behind the sights and include overviews of the nation's history and culture, from its ancient past to the Colonial-era to the complicated political situation of today. This uniquely visual DK Eyewitness Travel Guide will help you discover everything region-by-region, from local festivals and markets to day trips around the countryside. Detailed listings will guide you to the best hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops for all budgets, while detailed practical information will help you to get around, whether by train, bus, or car. Plus, DK's excellent insider tips and essential local information will help you explore every corner of Myanmar effortlessly.
Scholars have long accepted the belief that a Theravada Buddhist Mon kingdom, Rāmaññadesa, flourished in coastal Lower Burma until it was conquered in 1057 by King Aniruddha of Pagan—which then became, in essence, the new custodian and repository of Mon culture in the Upper Burmese interior. This scenario, which Aung-Thwin calls the "Mon Paradigm," has circumscribed much of the scholarship on early Burma and significantly shaped the history of Southeast Asia for more than a century. Now, in a masterful reassessment of Burmese history, Michael Aung-Thwin reexamines the original contemporary accounts and sources without finding any evidence of an early Theravada Mon polity or a conquest by Aniruddha. The paradigm, he finds, cannot be sustained. How, when, and why did the Mon Paradigm emerge? Aung-Thwin meticulously traces the paradigm's creation to the merging of two temporally, causally, and contextually unrelated Mon and Burmese narratives, which were later synthesized in English by colonial officials and scholars. Thus there was no single originating source, only a late and mistaken conflation of sources. The conceptual, methodological, and empirical ramifications of these findings are significant. The prevalent view that state-formation began in the maritime regions of Southeast Asia with trade and commerce rather than in the interior with agriculture must now be reassessed. In addition, a more rigorous look at the actual scope and impact of a romanticized Mon culture in the region is required. Other issues important to the field of early Burma and Southeast Asian studies, including the process of "Indianization," the characterization of "classical" states, and the advent and spread of Theravada Buddhism, are also directly affected by Aung-Thwin’s work. Finally, it provides a geo-political, cultural, and economic alternative to what has become an ethnic interpretation of Burma’s history. An electronic version of this book is freely available thanks to the support of libraries working with Knowledge Unlatched, a collaborative initiative designed to make high-quality books open access for the public good. The open-access version of this book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which means that the work may be freely downloaded and shared for non-commercial purposes, provided credit is given to the author. Derivative works and commercial uses require permission from the publisher.
Spanning a period of more than a thousand years, Myanmar Architecturecaptures in architecture the historical essence of a rich culture influenced by trade, Buddhism and colonialism. From ruined temples that are all that remain of the long-lost Pyu to the magnificent richness of the bejeweled, golden form of the Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar is home to some of the most magnificent structures ever built. Experience the splendid ruins dotting the plains of Mrauk U or step into Bagan, the Kingdom of the Four Thousand Temples. Visit Ratnapura, Amarapura and Yadanabon to marvel at the history behind the facades of these royal cities. Explore the traditions that dictate every fine detail in the design, construction and decoration of palaces, places of worship and even common homes. See how colonial influences have left their mark in the modern cities of Mandalay, Yang�n and Mawlamyine. Gain an insight into the rich traditions, culture and history of a country long-hidden from prying eyes through a rare chance to discover the secrets and architectural treasures of Myanmar. About the Author Ma Thanegi was born in Myanmar and educated at the Methodist English High School, the State School of Fine Arts and the Institute of Economics. She is a painter who has exhibited with group shows since 1967 and has had seven exhibitions of her own. She is a contributing editor at and editor of The Myanmar Times, an English language weekly,Enchanting Myanmar, a travel magazine. She lives in Yangon, Myanmar.
