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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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