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traditions
Open Archives 6
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Fading Cultures of Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the world's smallest countries, but its cultural diversity and richness are remarkable. As a result, a considerable emphasis is placed on promoting and preserving its own culture. It is hoped that by safeguarding and nurturing Bhutan's living culture, the nation's sovereignty will be preserved. However, the Kingdom of Bhutan is undergoing tremendous transformation in the social, cultural, economic, and political spheres, resulting in unprecedented social confusion and stress. As a child, I liked photography and travel, and now I enjoy sharing stories via photographs. Our country, although rich in culture, is currently at a crossroads between modernisation and cultural preservation; with the improvement of living standards, it is difficult to see age-old practices and traditions being practiced. Everything from the way we travel to the food we eat, the language we speak, and the clothes we wear is changing and, in some cases, fading as time passes. These images serve as harsh reminders of how a country's intangible cultures and heritage are disappearing.
Bhutan -
Henna Art
This photo was taken right after I got a piece of “henna art” painted onto my arm. It happened during my visit to the Moroccan pavilion at “EXPO 2017 Astana”. This plant-based skin dye art carries significant symbolic importance and is considered beneficial for both the mind and the soul. It is said that the best medicine is often the one the earth gives us, and henna is one of the perfect hidden gems transmitted from generation to generation. It is not just a temporary fast tattoo; indeed, authentic Moroccan henna art is a craft that requires years of practice and entails a broad spectrum of various styles, techniques, symbolisms, traditions, and rituals. Prior to the beginning of the drawing process, a master should know how to make a perfect henna paste from natural ingredients and achieve the right structure and colour. This process alone requires years of continuous practice. Additionally, henna artists follow their intuition in their hands-on-technique, making sure that every work is truly unique. Combining the motifs in an endless variation also takes years of study and practice.
Morocco -
Ura the Sacred Hidden Valley
Ura Valley, located in the Kingdom of Bhutan’s Bumthang District, was blessed as a sacred hidden valley by the renowned tantric master Padmasambhava, who was instrumental in bringing Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Centuries have gone by, and the Ura people have remained firmly rooted in their rich culture and traditions, which have been transmitted down from generation to generation. However, development activities come with a cost for these cultures vanishing to simply myths and stories. The Loden Foundation, a CSO since 1999, is committed to digitizing Intangible Cultural Heritages that are on the verge of extinction as time flies by; with the support of ICHCAP, Loden is immortalizing these elements while also educating and raising public awareness.
Bhutan -
Tae Na Gu - Karan musical instrument
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.
Thailand -
T'nalak weaving
T'nalak weaving is one of the most celebrated traditions of the T'boli communities in the Philippines. It is indeed a living tradition as masters and older community members are very keen to teach the younger generation this traditional craftsmanship of the dream weavers.
Philippines -
Myanmar Thanakha
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.
Myanmar