A land of ethnic diversity linked by a common bond

Come October, prepare your backpacks to visit Myanmar, make holiday in its states and divisions and meet different ethnic groups who have lived together for hundreds of generations. When the monsoon finishes it is time for tourists to visit Myanmar, the Golden Land , or Ruby of the East.

More than 135 ethnic groups, each with a heritage of its own, contributed to the country’s rich and unique culture as old as the Orient itself. The Myanmar race is formed of Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Kayah, Mon, Rakhine, Shan and other sub-groups of nationalities who will always greet a visitor with sweet smiles, speak with an open heart and extend a helping hand. We call ourselves "brothers who live on the same land and drink the same water", as we live here together through thick and thin.

You can go up further north to see, or to scale, the fantastic snowcapped mountains in Kachin State. Or you can sail down to the confluence of Ayeyarwady River, where Maykha and Maylikha rivers meet. Kachin State has been populated by Kachin, Jeinphaw, Rawan, Maru, Lisu, Azee, Lahu, Musoe, Mosoe and Kaw. They used to till the land and live on crops and fruits they have cultivated. You can participate in Kachin Manaw festivals on various occasions such as marriage, birth, death, harvest and paying homage to spirits. Chin State is inhabited by Chins, Kathe and Mayhte. But the Chin group has 44 different sub-groups on which you can do historical and anthropological researches You can take part in the Chin festivals linked with agriculture and family traditions. If you ever go to Chin State with your loved one, never miss the chance to visit the heart-shaped Reh Lake of Falam.

You can visit Khantee District on the northwest of Sagaing Division to brush shoulder with Naga groups who have preserved the tradition of tattooing. Make your holiday with Naga people whose ladies underwent tattooing in accordance with rites and rituals. They tattooed themselves not just for fun but for belief in their tribal culture. You can visit Kayin people living in southern Myanmar, Thanlwin valley, Ayeyarwady valley and delta, Thanintharyi Division, Sittaung Valley and Bago Range. On the eastern Karen State are mountain ranges from Eastern Yoma Range and on the west is a plain where our Karen brothers used to live. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of these mountain ranges, the mighty Thanlwin River and Zwegabin, a majestic table mountain serving as the landmark of the state. You will be awe-struck if you come to know the lovely tradition of Kayin mothers who never fail to breastfeed their babies. And if you happened to be among the Kayin people don’t stop short of taking part in the Doan chorus dance which is very lively and energetic.

Kayah State is between Shan State on the north, Kayin State on the west and south and Thailand on the east. Lawpita Waterfall and Taungkwe Zayde (cracked-mountain pagoda) are the famous landmarks of the state. Kayah has also very long tunnels and beautiful lakes as the backdrops of Kayah fairy tales. You can meet Kayah, Gaeko, Gaeba, Kayan (Padaung), Paye, Manumanaw, Yinbaw, Yintalae, Paku Karen and Shan groups. It’s a chance to mix with Kayan long-necked ladies who used to add one more brass ring to their necks every year. The anthropological find is that their necks don’t grow but the ribs sink in so that the ladies become long-necked. Mon State is on the south and composed of Kyikehto, Beelin, Thaton, Paung, Mottama,Mawlamyine, Chaungzone, Kyikemaraw, Thanbyuzayet and Ye townships inhabited by Mon, Kayin, Shan, Pao and Bamar peoples. Mons descended from Mon-Khmar race and their native land was once called Ramanya. Mon people had a unique culture which influenced Myanmar language, literature and music. A visitor can discover how Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda of Kyaikhto, Shwedagon of Yangon and Shwe Muhtaw of Bago were connected with Mon culture.

You should never miss the opportunity to visit the southwestermost Rakhine State where Myauk-U and Waytharli (Vesale) ancient cities of 16th Century can be seen and studied. Or you can dip yourself in waters off the pristine beach of Ngapali to rinse away your urban blues. Rakhine is home for Rakhine, Maramargyi, Myo, Dinenet, Thek, Kaman, Linka, Ahnu, Shanphu Khaungsoe Chin and Bamar peoples. Sittwe (formerly Akyab) has been Myanmar’s westernmost port city. If you learned that when the two traders went to India with caravans they brought back home eight holy hair relics from Lord Buddha. Shitthaung Phaya (Eighty Thousand Pagoda) and coins of Waytharli can tell you of unique Rakhine culture.

Or you can be avail yourself among the Mokien (Salong) people of the Myeik islands, or sea Gypsies whose oral literature can tell you more fantastic tales than Princess Sharazade did. Shan State is also a should-not-miss hill station of Myannar with alpine ranges and fresh fragrant pine trees. There you can make friend with Shan, Pao, Palaung, Kachin, Inthar, Danu, Wa, Lahu, Kaw, Kayan, Taungyoe, Yin, Gon, Kayah, Lishau, Yinkyar, Yinnet, Kokang, Myaungzee and Yun peoples. You will be surprised to know that Inthars were descendents of Dawae who came up from Myeik (Mergui) archipelagos. They were followers of the powerful King Alaungsithu who managed to reorganise the Myanmar Empire founded by his forefathers, Anawrahta and Kyansittha.Inlay riparian people can give you their civilities, crafts and also the art of leg-rowing on Inlay Lake which we dubbed "the Sea atop Mountains".

And if you are an anthropologist who is tracing the Early Man you are advised to go up to the Pontaung land in upcountry to judge for yourself the prehistoric role of Myanmar people. Myanmar is a treasure trove for historians and scientists to discover artefacts.