The last time I was in Myanmar was in early 2011, just two months after Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. So last December, I was excited to have the chance to go back and see the changes brought about by the Burmese political reform. I had heard there had been an influx of visitors and that some Burmese people had more freedom and resources than before. Still, I was pretty surprised by the pace of changes some parts of the country have experienced. From a visitor’s point-of-view, it is a new Myanmar. No worries, the famous tourist sites such as the Shwedagon Pagoda, and the U-Bein Bridge are still there (though there are plans to close the bridge for repair in the near future). Still, the larger cities of Yangon and Mandalay are indeed experiencing a rebirth. Construction is booming, global brands are available, and whereas on prior trips, I had a short commute from the airport to the hotel, this time, I was stuck in a traffic jam for 90 minutes. I guess that is the price of progress and a few more amenities, such as the cappuccino I drank on a terrace near the Scott market to fight my jet-lag-induced sleepiness.
This is not to say that Myanmar is no longer a magical place, just that it is a different magical place than it once was and, I hope, a better one for its people. My main goal for this trip was to travel all the way north on the Chindwin River, an area that I had not visited before. But I also decided to go for a short visit to Inle (Inlay) Lake, since I had enjoyed this area so much on an earlier visit.
Inle Lake is located in the heart of the Shan Plateau in the eastern part of Myanmar. It is a beautiful highland lake, close to 15 miles long, inhabited by many ethnic groups. The gateway to the Lake is usually Nyaungshwe, an exciting stop on its own, from which one can travel by boat to the various villages.
The Inle Lake area is quite charming and unique. Not unlike Venice, the locals live on the water in high-stilted houses and use boats for transport. The men are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style, which involves standing at the front of the boat on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar. This unique style allows them to better see as they navigate a water surface covered by reeds and floating plants. As far as I can tell, only the men practice this rowing style; the women seem to row in a more customary fashion. The locals also farm on the water by making floating vegetable beds using bunches of weeds secured to the lake bottom with bamboo poles.




The rotating market is another attraction of the area, each day held in a different village. It is an opportunity to see women from the Pa O tribe who live deeper inland but come to the market to sell their farm produce. The traditional clothing many of them wear is indigo-dyed and is said to be a remnant of them having been enslaved over a thousand years ago. Their colorful turban supposedly mimics a dragon’s head, a mythical character in Pa O culture.




One thing that surprised me on this trip was the number of organized “workshops” trying to attract business from visitors. With the new influx of tourists, craft shops have now opened spaces where one can see the artisans (cheroot-making, weaving, blacksmith, jewelry…) and, of course, have the opportunity to bring home a “souvenir.” I usually stay away from these places, but I was enticed to peek at a new center where some weaving is done using a thread made from the stems of lotus flowers, a new concept to me. At this center, several women are weaving this most unique fabric and more typical ones such as silk and cotton.




In one smaller weaving shop, one can visit with the few remaining Padaung “long-neck” women of the area who demonstrate the traditional way of weaving. The number of women wearing the neck rings has steadily decreased in Burma because, beginning in the early 1960s, the Burmese military government tried to stop the practice, and as a result, most of the Padaung fled to a refugee camp in Thailand. I had met these Padaung women at the weaving shop on a previous visit and was pleased to see them again. Being in their presence, however, always generates a mixed emotional reaction. On the one hand, one wishes that no women would have to suffer through such a practice; on the other hand, if it is their culture, shouldn’t they be allowed to follow their traditions if they so desire? This question is not easy; for more on this issue, see this National Geographic video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FME1At3vmI.)



One of the images most strongly associated with the Inle Lake area is of a one-leg rower fishing with a tall woven bamboo basket with a flared bottom. The fishermen would push the basket downwards with one foot, and a pole inserted through the top would disturb the fish, which would then swim upward and be trapped. The basket fishing tradition, however, seems to be a thing of the past. Visitors can still see it, as several local fishermen will happily demonstrate the technique as they did for me. However, the working fishermen now mainly use a net, which is more efficient.









Next, on the Chindwin River,
France
15 Responses
Beautiful photographs of a special place in Myanmar, France. I wish I could have spent more time there. Looking forward to your post and photos from your Chindwin River trip with Nevada.
Thanks Sally. It was only a short visit for me as well this time. But I really wanted to see it again as I had enjoyed it greatly during my previous visit which was during the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival. Hope you had a good trip!
Great photos. I too loved the pa o ladies and the market as I found them actually quite friendly and eager for photos for the most part whereas here I always find elderly Vietnamese ladies quite wary. I actually avoided the ‘demonstration’ fisherman as I assumed they were asking for money to essentially pose… What was the set up? You’ve probably also noticed the wine industry has taken off since your last visit! http://juraphotos.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/burmese-wine-at-lake-inle/ I look forward to your next instalment. I’ve now been twice and am quite keen to go to mrauk u which is a bit off the beaten track…
You will love Mrauk U, it is quite lovely, that is as long as things are calm enough in Sittwe. There are also a couple of villages with a few older tatooed ladies from the Chin tribe nearby. As for the fishermen in Inle Lake, there is no real set up. Their hope is that if you take the time to photograph them, you will give them a little something. Yes, I noticed that the wine industry was developing but I decided to give them a little more time 😉 May be in a next visit. All the best, France
France, the image of the girl looking through the loom is really great! Nicely done!
Thank you Lisa. I appreciate your feedback. This is a strong favorite of mine too. This weaving center was a great place to shoot. France
Beautiful photos of Myanmar, sadly a place that I know mainly about cause of present and past conflict.Textiles always interest me.I believe the lotus stem is only used in luxury goods, is that no longer the case?
I had understood in the past that it took thousands and thousands of stems to make a yard of fabric! Perhaps they’ve found a newer method.
By the way, what’s the local fish that the fishermen fish for?
Emilie,
You are asking two very important questions with respect to the sustainability of each practice. Most of these fishermen fish for what they called “Inle Carp”, mostly for local consumption. However, I was told that currently the local(?) government was planning to introduce non-native fish species to improve the fishing industry. This, obviously, could create serious environmental problems. And yes, you are right, a very large number of lotus stems is needed for the lotus fabric, a cloth that traditionally had been reserved for the buddha (and a few revered monks). Now one can purchase items locally (although it is very expensive) and luxury companies are getting involved. The Inle Lake area cannot produce lotus plants in sufficient number (though they are trying to increase their production) and at this point has to import them from Thailand. Thanks for asking. All the best, France
Thanks for those very interesting comments. Hope the planned fish introduction doesn’t cause environmental shock. By the way I saw an interesting twitter account @IndiaHistorypic some great old photos.
Emilie,
Thanks for telling me about @IndiaHistorypic. These images are priceless. Regards, France
Your photos are just stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Rebecca, Thank you for your kind words and thanks for visiting again. Warm regards, France
Great series of photos of the foot fishers! Inle Lake is so magnificent that it is hard not to get a great shot but you certainly have superior photos.
And I swear I photographed the same faces!
Read some of the comments…. I had to bring back textiles with me. So damn lovely yet rough.
Where to next? Namibia?
XO Elise
Stunning photos; I especially like the fishermen, as I’m mad about fishing myself. You are a very talented photographer.
Thank you for your kind words on my photography. And thanks for visiting the blog. The Inle lake fishermen have indeed a very different fishing technique and a very peculiar rowing style. Glad you like the images. All the best, France