People Myanmar is an ethnically diverse society. There are many ethnic groups that can be roughly divided into four: Tibeto-Burmese, Mon-Khmer, Karen and Thai-Chinese. The first group includes the main Burmese people and more than 30 smaller tribes. The other three groups are less diverse, but certainly not homogeneous. For a long time the ethnic variety of Myanmar has been the cause of many conflicts which has also hindered economic development. Approximately 2-3 million Karen live in Myanmar today, forming the third biggest ethnic group in the country. The Karen are mainly farmers and most of them live in the south-west, near the border with Thailand, and in the east of Myanmar, near the Indian border. The women of the Padaung tribe, which is a subgroup of the Karen, are known for wearing heavy rings of brass around their necks and are called ‘giraffe women’ since the heavy rings push down the shoulders and elongate the neck. The Shan consist of various tribes and their history in Myanmar dates back to the 3rd century BC. They are found today in the border regions of the north, north-west, east, and on the borders with Laos and Thailand. Most of them are Buddhists, although animism still plays a significant role in everyday life. The Mon, today found mainly in the regions around Mawlamyine and Bago, had a big impact on arts and culture. They are Buddhists and have their own language. Today, approximately 1.3 million Mon live in Myanmar. The Kachin live in the remotest northern state. They include about 62 different tribes, some Christians and some Animists. They have a unique way of constructing their wooden houses. Religion The religious life of Myanmar is dominated by the omnipresent Theravada Buddhism, which was brought to the country as early as the 11th century AD. Today, about 88% of the population call themselves Theravadas, the remaining 12% of the Burmese are Christians (7%), Muslims (3%) and Hindus (0.5%). Over 100,000 Buddhist monks live in monasteries throughout the country. The history of Buddhism in Myanmar began in 638 AD, when the Mahayana creed started spreading there. During the 11th century, the people of Bagan turned to the Theravada Buddhist school. Art and Architecture It is architecture that one sees as the strongest evidence of Burmese artistic skills and craftsmanship. The religious architecture of Myanmar is probably the most independent of the Indian architectural style, which is predominant in many parts of South-East Asia. Burmese buildings take two basic forms - pagodas and temples. Traditionally only these were made of permanent materials; monasteries and all secular buildings were, until recently, constructed of wood and thus only a few non-religious buildings of former times remain to be visited. Pagodas are found almost everywhere in the country in large numbers. They are seen as a focus for meditation or contemplation, and are supposed to house holy relics from the Buddha. It is said that the great Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon enshrines some of his hairs. Temples are constructed mainly to house images of the Buddha and the walls are often decorated with beautiful paintings depicting episodes from the lives of the Buddha. Over the centuries the architectural style has grown more elaborate, depending on the region and influence of other cultures nearby. All pagodas, however, have in common a bell-shaped structure, which in later centuries was erected on top of a foundation.

Language The Burmese language belongs to the group of Tibeto-Burmese languages, which in turn is part of the Sino-Tibetan group of languages. Burmese is spoken by about 80% of the population of Myanmar, and is the official language of the country. Besides Burmese, there are more than 100 languages and local dialects spoken in different regions and by different ethnic groups. English is widely spoken, especially in business and tourist areas. Spoken Burmese has a distinctive rhythmic character. The meaning of a word often depends on the pitch of a certain syllable. For an untrained speaker, correct pronunciation can be quite difficult - the Burmese say that chewing a little betel might help! Dance and Theatre Classical dance-drama is currently enjoying a revival in Myanmar and is occasionally performed at the National Theatre in Yangon. The most Burmese of the dances feature solo performances by female dancers who wear dresses with long white trains that they kick into the air with their heels during the foot movements. Yokthei pwe or Burmese marionette theatre presents colourful puppets up to a metre high in a spectacle that many aesthetes consider the most expressive of all the Burmese arts. The Burmese have great respect for an expert puppeteer. Some marionettes may be manipulated by a dozen or more strings; certain nats may sport up to 60 strings, including one for each eyebrow. The marionette master`s standard repertoire requires a troupe of 28 puppets. These figures bring together the talents of singers, puppeteers, musicians, woodcarvers, embroiderers and set designers. Manners The usual Asian rules of conduct apply in Myanmar, plus a few specific Burmese ones. It is unseemly to show too much emotion, losing your temper over problems and delays gets you nowhere; it is better to stay calm at all times just as the Burmese do. You should always take your shoes off when entering a pagoda or temple and when you visit private houses, and you should wear appropriate clothing. For men and women it is advisable to cover your shoulders and wear knee-long skirts or trousers. Wearing bathing suits or trunks should be limited to the beach or hotel pool. The head is regarded as a particularly holy part of the body. You should never touch anybody's head intentionally, and offer an excuse if you do so by chance. Accordingly, the feet are literally the lowest part of the body - do not point your feet at anybody. Holidays And Festivals Myanmar is well known as ‘The Land of Festivals’ and you will find religious or cultural festivals throughout the year. Some festivals are celebrated all over Myanmar and some only in certain areas. A unique festival is the Nat Festival, Myanmar is the home of 37 different Nats, ‘Spirits’, who play a significant role in the daily life of every Burmese, as does the almighty Lord Buddha.