Mandalay
It
is a distinct city which was ruled and reigned by the last Myanmar king Thibaw.
Mentioning
Mandalay means that looking back into the golden days of the past. Mandalay can
be said truly that it is the city which has distributed and preserved Buddhism
and the memorable ancient culture. Moreover, it is the prominent and historic
city in the central Myanmar. One can know the hospitality of Mandalayans who
preserve Myanmar culture when one meets them. The Mandalay city called
metaphorically as “ Shwe Mandalay” was built by King Mindon in Kaw Zar era
1221, the 6th waning day of Kasone. It has now been over 150 years old. When
talking about Mandalay, the moat and the palace cannot be left out. On seeing
them instantly, what will be in the mind of a viewer?
The
moat and the big brick wall surrounding the golden palace is like a painting
which speaks a lot. They have been through the burden of time together. Though
they are over a hundred years old, they have still been the blood and flesh of
Mandalay.
At
the head of Mandalay, there is a natural tower which stands steadfastly. It is
the famous Mandalay hill. The feeling obtained from viewing the Mandalay hill
can be understood by everyone who has visited it. According to the historical
record, the 500 foot Mandalay hill is called “Bee-Lu-Ma Mountain”. When
mentioning Mandalay hill, the hermit U Khan Ti has to be spoken of. There are
adoration halls which are reinforced with iron and concrete and have corrugated
sheets. They can be seen as his faith, perseverance, and discrete. He renovated
Ku-Tho-Daw at the foot of the hill, Sandar-Mu-Ni, Kyauk-Taw-Gyi, Thu-Dhammar
Zayat (Rest House), Yan-Kin Hill, Pha-Yar-Gyi (Big Pagoda), Ar-Nan-Dar
Adoration Hall, brick stairway, and images. Like Mandalay and moat are inseparable,
Hermit U Khan Ti and Mandalay are the same. Moreover, people will not object
that he is the person who brought credit to Mandalay.
Mandalay
foods are also different from other ones. Yangonites like “Mohingar” for
breakfast and Mandalayans adore “ Mont Tee” ( Rice Noodles). People who enjoy “
Mont Tee” will have it from roadside shops, tea shops to the shops where “ Mont
Tee” is only sold. For Mandalayans who see Mandalay damsels with patches of “
Thanatkhar” on cheeks enjoy the breakfast “Mont Tee” is not strange for them,
but it will become queer for tourists who come to visit Mandalay. The
preparation and arrangement of “Mont Tee” at “ Mont Tee” shop seem interesting
for gastronomes. The size of “ Mont Tee” noodle ranges from “ big”, “medium” and
“ small”. When reaching Mandalay, make sure to enjoy “ Mont Tee”.
There
are many places and things to study, visit, take notice of and be astounded.
There is the most wonderful place in Mandalay among many places. It is
Ku-Tho-Daw pagoda called “ Law-Ka-Mar-Ra-Zein” pagoda. Mandalay is the
Buddhism-centered city so that the three Sasana called “ Pariyatti”, “Patipatti”,
and “ Pativeda” to be blooming for the perpetuation of Buddhism. It is one of
the adorable customs of Mandalay which becomes one of the cherished customs.
King Mindon inscribed the stone to preserve the Tripitaka of the Buddha.
In
the precinct of Ku-Tho-Taw pagoda, the marble slabs obtained from “Marble
Mountain” are used to inscribe the five treatises of Vinaya which take 111
slabs, the seven treatises of Abhidhamma which take 208 slabs, the five Nikayas
of Sutta Pali which take 401 slabs. All together 729 slabs are used. Each slab
is built inside the brick pyatthat, and pay homage to it.
The
festivals of Mandalay are held in Tha-Din-Gyut (Light festival) and
Tha-Zaung-Mone. When the weather is free from rain and wind, people can go
happily with families. The traditional snacks at food stalls can attract
pwe-goers. Beside the festivals of famous pagodas, there are local pagoda
festivals in each quarter. The distinct feature of a local pagoda festival is
the people of the quarter can hire Zet, A-Nyeint (Solo Dance), Saing ( Drum
Ensemble) which are loved by people, and they are watched and enjoyed
felicitously. A-Nyeint is a symbol which cannot be separated from Mandalay.
“Shin-Byu or Novitiation Ceremony”
Myanmar
Buddhists try to initiate someone to become a novice when they have a son in
the family. Most of Myanmar boys don a robe for the religious donation of
parents. They strive to earn money for Shin-Byu ceremony for their son. The
style of going around Shin-Byu is different from region to region. When going
around, some go with cars, some with horses, some with elephants, some with
bullock carts, some carry novices-to-be on shoulders. Beside those who hold the
umbrellas for novices-to-be, a group of beautiful damsels holding betal containers,
the host parents, who sling eight requisites, there are a band of “Do”,and
music troupe. Moreover, there are relatives who carry or hold pillows, mats,
and blankets for them. These are the inevitable sight in Shin-Byu ceremony. The
donors donate food as much as they can afford; likewise, the guests devour to
their satisfaction. It is one of the cherished customs of Shwe Myanmar.
Stone
Carving Industry
“Pan-Ta-Mo”
called “Stone carving art” is an art which appeared in Beik-Tha-Noe era. Pan or
Panne (an art which makes beauty) is a Myanmar word and Ta-Mo is a Mon word.
When both words combine, it becomes “Pan-Ta-Mo” which means an art which makes
stone beautiful by carving in researchers’ opinions. Some researchers say
Pan-Ta-Mo is a Mon word. Anyway, in Myanmar which is a Buddhist country there
are generations of stone carvers in ages. Mandalay which is a religious area of
Myanmar, there are stone carvers. They carve sculptures of marble, quartz,
laterite and granite. When reaching “Mahar-Tha-Kya-Mar-Ra-Zein”, one can study
the arts of ancient stone carvers. Pan-Ta-Mo art carves many Buddha images
mostly; later, they can carve many sculptures according to ages. It is sure to maintain
the stone carving industry in Mandalay which is a religious area.
Gold Foil Making Industry
As
for a Buddhist country, Myanmar has the custom of gilding pagodas, stupas and
images. Therefore, gold foil making is one of the industries practiced since
ancient times. In the time of King Mindon, the gold foil making industry became
prominent. To be able to make gold foil industry, the gold slabs from the royal
depository were taken out and they were made into foils. Later, common people
were allotted to make it and it became a ward called “Hay-Mar-Myar-Par ward”.
The
persons who are engaged in the gold foil making industry are called “Tan-Zar”
in ancient times. It is sure that he cannot run very well even though he has
got enough money. Only when does he know about gold, and then, he runs it well.
While
visiting a new place, one can buy a present for one’s friend is a kind of
taste. In Mandalay, one should go to
“Htoe-Mont” or “Glutinous rice pudding” district for presents for returning
home. In “Htoe-Mont” district, the stalls give a piece of it to taste and it is
one of the significant customs of Mandalay’s “Htoe-Mont” district.
At
sunset of Mandalay, one can take a stroll along U Pein Bridge which has built
with wood in Taung-Ta-Man Lake, taking fresh air. One can enjoy fried fish
caught from the lake together with green tea, and enjoy the beauty of the
sunset. With revealing one’s head while catching fish is quite interesting. At
almost sunset, the beauty of U Pein’s Bridge is a quite different one. For a
nostalgic person, Mandalay is full of nostalgic memories.
Mandalay
seems to be proud of being the last royal city of Myanmar Kings. Mandalay which
is striving with patriotic spirit exists itself by its own style.
Translated by San Lin Tun
