Myanmar women adore Thanakha for its sweet fragrance. The botanical name of Thanakha is Hesperethusa Crenulata (ROXB.) ROEM. Thanakha plant or branch is cut into small sizes about 6 or 4 inches. If we grind Thanakha bark with a little water on a circular stone slab called "Kyauk Pyin", we will get a milky yellow liquid or Thanakha paste. Myanmar women usually apply Thanakha paste on their faces and hands and some prefer wearing the whole body.The practice of Thanakha culture has existed in Myanmar society since yore. Thanakha is still preserved as Myanma cultural tradition till today. Thanakha and "Kyauk Pyin" are inseparable. "Kyauk Pyin" is the circular shape of sand stone slab and its surface is elevated in the middle and there is a channel around the rim for the paste to drain into. Kyauk Pyin and Thanakha are essential for the practice of Thanakha culutre in Myanmar society. People use Thanakha for beauty but also for medicinal purpose. Sweet fragrant Thanakha paste is used for cleansing the face of Buddha Image. As Myanmar saying goes:"Mee Phone Hlu Pwe, Tabodwe", the scented bonfire festival is also held by burning Thanakha woods to offer warmth to the Lord Buddha in Myanmar month Tabodwe which falls in February. Because of extreme cold weather in Tabodwe, the scented bonfire or "Mee Phone Pwe" is held in the pagoda precinct with great devotion. In some areas, Thanakha-based cultural festival, "Thanakha Par Toe Pwe" is also held with great traditions. Ethnic women from the hills and the plains across Myanmar cherish and value Thanakha. Both men and women alike have been using Thanakha paste because of its cool sensation and positive effects. In addition that some put extra patch on their cheeks to protect from burning heat of the sun. The farmers and farm girls could get sweaty for working long hours in the field but they always feel fresh because of soothing effect of Thanakha fragrance. That is why Thanakha is the favourite of farmers and workers."Kyauk Pyin" and Thanakha wood can be found in every Myanmar household. Parents wear Thanakha to their offsprings. Likewise, uncles, aunts, elder brothers and sisters used to wear Thanakha to their young nieces, nephews as well as younger brothers and sisters. The farm girls and construction workers used to wear Thanakha paste very thickly for beauty but also for preventing the sunburn.The Thanakha growers and producers are also vital role in this element. Since ancient times, Thanakha culture has been preserving and practicing in Myanmar society. In Mynmar families, the tradition of wearing Thanakha is handed down from generation to generation. The parents, elder brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts never fail to put on Thanakha to young daughters and sons, nieces and nephews. While smearing Thanakha paste on the face, the mother also feeds fragrant residue to her baby. Thanakha plays a crucial role in the daily life of Myanmar people. In Myanmar family, the mother showers her infant baby and introduces Thanakha while praying the Lord to protect her baby from harms and dangers. The mother smears the wet paste of Thanakha on the kid’s forehead and later on both cheeks. The mother also feeds Thanakha paste to her baby which can protect chicken pox and measles. Because of the cool and pleasant Thanakha fragrance and the mother’s endless love, the baby feels great warmth and comfort. While applying Thanakha, the elders teach young children about the importance of good manners, ethics and moral values. Psychologically, Thanakha has positive effects for good concentration enhancing the power of wisdom and memory. Among seasonal festivals, the scented bonfire festival is held where fragrant Thanakha and sandal woods are burnt to provide warmth to the Lord Buddha with great devotion. Such kind of Thanakha-based festival has been holding on the Full Moon Day of Myanmar month Tapodwe which falls in February. Moreover, Thanakha is also used for the washing rituals performed at Mandalay Mahamuni Buddha Temple and such offering of Thanakha paste is renowned as the cultural values of Myanmar society. For fun and friendship, young people do whisking Thanakha paste on the cheeks of young visitors with great traditions in Yaw area.Thanakha is also used for Myanmar traditional medicine. Thanakha is common across Myanmar including the hills and the plains so also the rural and urban areas.Thanakha had long been used as atrditional cosmetic by Myanmar people and recently found ways to foreign market. Thanakha is the part and parcel of Myanmar culture. The paste of Thanakha is beloved to a diverse array of ethnicities and religion. Thanakha is worn by people of all ages, men and women alike, whether rich or poor. The practice of Myanmar Thanakha culture is for skin care, for beauty, to protect the sunburn so also as the traditional medicine. Thanakha is used at traditional festivals, social rituals and religious ceremonies. Although Thanakha wearing is common among people of all ages, women use for beauty and men use for skin care.     

The photos and videos were taken on 19-23 November, 2019. Hội An(會安, translates as "peaceful meeting place") is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, and noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. During the business trip, we visited the workshop of basket boat making artisan.

These photos were taken on 19-23 November, 2019. Hội An(會安, translates as "peaceful meeting place") is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, and noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. During the business trip, we visited the workshop of basket boat making artisan and he also had a skills for traditional weaving with his own loom.

This is photos of Manaung festival of Kachin national race. The Manning festival is a kind of ritual festival which propitiate to Madine Nat and Kachin tribe have been practiced in ancient time when they had been worship Nats.

Laos is in southeast Asia. The land of ancient beliefs in something that people can not be seen with the naked eye. In a month, there are many women all around the country have delivered child ,Therefore we have an unique ritual of the superstition called: The conditions of being childbirth.After the mom giving birth from the hospital or home birth. Around 70% , they have to lying in bed and the fire under her bed about 7-9 nights . In Laos we called: confinement. Before the mom and infant staying on the warm bed ,the bed surrounded by holy thread with the dish worship . the older people who have magic Buddhist cast a spell or against sorcery and superstition to go away from the mom. In addition. the angle of this reason also have the good benefits from the scientific about confinement can help the women be strong health after giving birth. That why Lao people have inherited this ritual that is different from another countries around the world.

In ancient time, gold thread looms were woven and embroidered in the palace. The practice of making tapestry is transmitted generation by generation. In Gone Shan traditional costumes, it is used to sew for a long time, as well as for pillows and other accessories.

Karen (Pgaz K' Nyau) tribe’s unique culture has remained largely intact because of its isolation. The traditions are deeply connected with the forest and the tones of the music echo their histrionic landscape that ranges from deep wild and valleys. Their main way of living is living with and taking care of the forest. The Karen musical instrument called “Tae Na Gu”, has its own sound and character with a very long history. A soft sound, bright and gentle is the colour that would paint your heart in light colours. The root of this instrument could trace back to more than 200 years ago. Its name usually appeared in tribal's ancient rhymes. From generation to generation this ancient instrument has been transferred. It has significant changes. For example, the strings used to be 9 - 12 with a minor scale, now it has only 6-9 strings in major scale so they could play with other musical instruments perfectly. Also, many new generations of Pgaz K' Nyau musicians bring it back to life by designing, changing colours and forms. But one thing that would not change is it exquisitely represents the character of the Pgaz K' Nyau people. Gentle, adaptive and caring for their inheritance.