Burma: Life in the 1970's and 80's
Part III -  Pegu, Taunggyi, and Village Burma

Dr. Constance Wilson, Department of History
Northern Illinois University

Pegu (Bago)

Pegu was once a Mon center. It is said to have been established in 573 A.D. by two Mon princes. It later became the center of the Mon Kingdom of Ramanadesa (1287 -- 1539). During this period the Mon kingdom covered all of lower Burma. But in 1539 in the Mon kingdom was annexed to the Burman Kingdom of Toungoo. At this time Pegu was an important seaport visited by many European sailors, including the Portuguese, British, and Dutch. Two centuries later, in 1740, Pegu again became a independent Mon center. Finally, in 1757, the Burmese sacked Pegu, and incorporated its territory into the new unitary kingdom of Burma. Pegu was rebuilt between 1782 and 1819. At this point in time Pegu no longer served as a seaport for the river on which it had been located had changed its course leaving Pegu an inland town.

We start our visit to Pegu with a stop by the roadside to view a Burmese village that has been flooded during the monsoon season. The houses are built on stilts which serve to protect them from the floodwaters.(1) We then approach the bridge entering Pegu. As you can see the main means of transportation is the bicycle (2). The central street of Pegu extends into the distance (3).An oxcart carrying bamboo passes by (4). Several buildings are painted in bright colors (5).

P-1.JPG (77253 bytes)
Slide 1

 P-2.JPG (71116 bytes)
Slide 2		 P-3.JPG (59335 bytes)
Slide 3
P-4.JPG (62310 bytes)
Slide 4		 P-5.JPG (83598 bytes)
Slide 5		 P-6.JPG (63146 bytes)
Slide 6

 

P-7.JPG (81303 bytes)
Slide 7



Pegu supports an active busy market (6). We see many women relaxing at a food stall    with vegetables, bananas, and other fruits (7). As we walk around Pegu we see a young  novice, his headed protected from the sun with a yellow towel. In the background are      homemade brooms (8). We pass by a flower stand (9) and a line of pony carts (10).

 

 

P-8.JPG (74530 bytes)
Slide 8		 P-9.JPG (85482 bytes)
Slide 9		 P-10.JPG (63254 bytes)
Slide 10

Pegu is the home of many monuments. Among them is the Kyaik Pun Paya built in 1467, with four large Buddha images sitting back to back (11). The most famous Buddha image in Pegu is the Shwethalyaung. We approach the image through an alleyway lined with small shops (12). The Shwethalyaung (13) is one of the largest images of the reclining Buddha to be found in South East Asia. In this case the Buddha is in "a relaxing mode" with his eyes open (14). One foot casually rests on top of the other (15) revealing the wheel of the law along with other decorative elements.

P-11.JPG (89340 bytes)
Slide 11		 P-12.JPG (95979 bytes)
Slide 12		 P-13.JPG (92282 bytes)
Slide 13
P-14.JPG (79951 bytes)
Slide 14		 P-15.JPG (79024 bytes)
Slide 15

The Shwemawdaw Paya has the same basic plan as the Shwedagon in Rangoon. It was first built about 1,000 years ago. It has been rebuilt many times with major reconstructions taking place in 1756 and in 1952-1954. The Shwemawdaw is on a low terrace. Two chinthe (lion-like figures) serve as guardians at one of the four entrances, in the background is the central stupa (16). The entrance hall is decorated in glass mosaic (17). The stupa has the familiar bell shape of many stupas in Burma (18).

 

P-16.JPG (68186 bytes)
Slide 16		 P-17.JPG (80194 bytes)
Slide 17		 P-18.JPG (49572 bytes)
Slide 18

A row of small chedi and a large walkway surrounds the stupa (19). Two women with heavy loads on their heads walk past (20). Donations of flowers and paper parasols stand at the edge of the platform of the main stupa (21). Another building at the Shwemawdaw clearly illustrates the traditional tiered, decorated, classic Burmese roof (22). A small shrine (23) and a large bell stand on the platform (24).

P-19.JPG (52757 bytes)
Slide 19		 P-20.JPG (94236 bytes)
Slide 20		 P-21.JPG (97605 bytes)
Slide 21
P-22.JPG (49535 bytes)
Slide 22		 P-23.JPG (81528 bytes)
Slide 23		 P-24.JPG (106056 bytes)
Slide 24

 

Taunggyi

T&IK-1.JPG (49608 bytes)
Slide 1

Taunggyi, in eastern Burma, is the center of the Shan state. Again we arrive on the main street (1). There is a large concrete building to the right which turns out to be a movie theater (2). Other storefronts attract the interest of passers-by (3). We view other storefronts (4,5) as we wander around town. The market ( 6,7) is as usual very busy.

T&IK-2.JPG (64975 bytes)
Slide 2		 T&IK-3.JPG (62249 bytes)
Slide 3		 T&IK-4.JPG (68988 bytes)
Slide 4
T&IK-5.JPG (72004 bytes)
Slide 5		 T&IK-6.JPG (73845 bytes)
Slide 6		 T&IK-7.JPG (87825 bytes)
Slide 7

 

T&IK-8.JPG (37373 bytes)
Slide 8		 T&IK-9.JPG (34387 bytes)
Slide 9

Taunggyi is a place from which the traveler can approach Inle Lake. Inle Lake is a large shallow body of water (8) is that is best known for its floating islands (9). The floating islands are created by the local residents who use them for gardens as well as a place for their residences. Inle Lake is famous for its large, comfortable houses (10). Many canals flow through the islands. An Inle Lake leg rower stands at rest while transporting sacks of grain through the canals (11). Another boat, this time with two rowers, passes a cluster of houses (12). A stupa sits on one of the islands (13). More canal scenes follow (14, 15).

T&IK-10.JPG (53311 bytes)
Slide 10		 T&IK-11.JPG (40130 bytes)
Slide 11		 T&IK-12.JPG (34487 bytes)
Slide 12
T&IK-13.JPG (34125 bytes)
Slide 13		 T&IK-14.JPG (49050 bytes)
Slide 14		 T&IK-15.JPG (52754 bytes)
Slide 15

We approach a temple. On the right a bridge crosses from one island to another (16). As we pass under the bridge, we see the temple in the distance (17). People relax on the marble floor inside (18). The outer edges of the central shrine are covered with gold leaf (19).

T&IK-16.JPG (55308 bytes)
Slide 16		 T&IK-17.JPG (63559 bytes)
Slide 17
T&IK-18.JPG (72719 bytes)
Slide 18		 T&IK-19.JPG (62887 bytes)
Slide 19

Village Burma

mu-1.JPG (63565 bytes)
Slide 1

We now visit two villages in the region of Pagan, the most famous archeological site in Burma. These slides, which were taken in the 1970s and 1980s, are of two villages. The larger of the two is Nyaung-U which serves as a center for the area. The smaller is Minnanthu, a more rural settlement. Standing on the roof of the Htilominlo Temple we look west to the Irrawaddy River, flooded by the monsoon rains (1). Then we turn and look in the opposite direction across the plains toward a row of low hills in the background. We can see many of the old monuments that are located in this region (2). Slide 3 reveals the width of the Irrawaddy in flood. A small local boat (4) heads north. A large motorized boat assisted with a sail carries both cargo and passengers (5). Local boats wait along the edge of the river (6). A larger boat with many people arrives at the shore (7).

 

mu-2.JPG (56746 bytes)
Slide 2		 mu-3.JPG (61375 bytes)
Slide 3		 mu-4.JPG (53346 bytes)
Slide 4
mu-5.JPG (39193 bytes)
Slide 5		 mu-6.JPG (116216 bytes)
Slide 6		 mu-7.JPG (113410 bytes)
Slide 7

The main street of Nyaung-U is busy with pedestrian traffic. Many women carry heavy loads on their heads (8). A pony cart passes by (9). A Burmese family poses for a picture (10). The older woman carries a large basket on her head; the young girl wears a typical Burmese hair style for a person of her age. The local loudspeaker informs people of an event taking place (11). People gather outside small shops (12). A pony cart driver waits for passengers (13).

 

mu-8.JPG (60565 bytes)
Slide 8		 mu-9.JPG (72151 bytes)
Slide 9		 mu-10.JPG (75379 bytes)
Slide 10
mu-11.JPG (78715 bytes)
Slide 11		 mu-12.JPG (89596 bytes)
Slide 12		 mu-13.JPG (74760 bytes)
Slide 13

Two people carry on a conversation on the porch of a large building (14). A food stand located in the market (15). Two people stand in front of a shed with bamboo matting for its walls (16). A young girl with flowers in her hair (17). A building constructed for a festival (18). Musical instruments are being carried into the building (19).

 

mu-14.JPG (74649 bytes)
Slide 14		 mu-15.JPG (78042 bytes)
Slide 15		 mu-16.JPG (78990 bytes)
Slide 16
mu-17.JPG (31510 bytes)
Slide 17		 mu-18.JPG (101414 bytes)
Slide 18		 mu-19.JPG (75215 bytes)
Slide 19

 

The market at Nyaung-U is a very busy one. Women arrive from the countryside to sell their crops (20). Notice the traditional hair style worn by the second girl from the bottom. Two women watch the shopkeeper using the scale (21). Past it a woman smokes a large cheroot (22). Burma is famous for its tobacco. The basketwork is of a very high quality. Here another woman smokes a cheroot, but this one is probably made out of corn husks (23). A young girl stops behind her mother to take a look at the camera (24). A purchase has been completed (25). Three young girls, with tummeric dusted on their faces to protect them from the heat, pose for the camera (26). A food stall keeps busy(27).

mu-20.JPG (77698 bytes)
Slide 20		 mu-21.JPG (63003 bytes)
Slide 21

 

mu-22.JPG (37858 bytes)
Slide 22		 mu-23.JPG (53327 bytes)
Slide 23		 mu-24.JPG (51754 bytes)
Slide 24
mu-25.JPG (54273 bytes)
Slide 25		 mu-26.JPG (56314 bytes)
Slide 26		 mu-27.JPG (79527 bytes)
Slide 27

We move away from the market out into the countryside of Minnanthu. (28) Here we have a slide showing the many styles of bamboo matting that makes the wall of a house. A Burmese barnyard contains the traditional cart (29). A woman prepares rice while her children watch (30). Again note the variety of patterns in the woven bamboo mats on the side of the buildings. A Burmese family at work (31) surrounded by traditional baskets and tools. (32) We see another traditional house. The family lives upstairs while the ground floor is used as a storage and work area. A bamboo fence protects this house (33).

 

mu-28.JPG (83719 bytes)
Slide 28		 mu-29.JPG (76446 bytes)
Slide 29		 mu-30.JPG (78467 bytes)
Slide 30
mu-31.JPG (72552 bytes)
Slide 31		 mu-32.JPG (89036 bytes)
Slide 32		 mu-33.JPG (104957 bytes)
Slide 33

Another Burmese family poses for its portrait (34). A group of children - again note the traditional topknot on some of the young girls (35); a portrait of one of the girls again with a topknot (36). Two small boys pose for the camera (37). Washing clothes in the Irrawaddy River (38). Local cattle rest in the heat of the day in a peaceful scene(39).

mu-34.JPG (73971 bytes)
Slide 34		 mu-35.JPG (69184 bytes)
Slide 35		 mu-36.JPG (37974 bytes)
Slide 36
mu-37.JPG (34481 bytes)
Slide 37		 mu-38.JPG (67622 bytes)
Slide 38		 mu-39.JPG (114227 bytes)
Slide 39