Life along the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

MYANMAR | Monday, 14 January 2013 | Views [349] | View Larger Image

A young man chops leftover rice stalks to feed his cow and and fuel the fire of his home-made palm wine distillery. Palm wine, also called Toddy juice, is popular in Myanmar, and is made from fermented palm sugar.

This young girl is wearing Thanaka paste. Thanaka is a yellowish white paste made from ground tree bark that has been used for at least two-thousand years in Myanmar. It has a fragrance similar to sandalwood and is said to have many protective properties. It is an effective sun-block and cools the skin. It is mildly astringent and is said to tighten pores and prevent acne. Traditionally Thanaka paste was worn in the months of July and August when planting rice seedlings in the paddy fields. Today it is applied year round to enhance beauty and for its fragrant aroma.

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Life along the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

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