Myanmar Pavilion

Come discover the Land of the Golden Pagodas and experience the exotic taste of Myanmar cuisine. Shop around for bargains in the market place, then relax and enjoy the colourful ethnic shows.

Myanmar (once known as Burma) is the largest country (with a total area of 678,500 km2) in mainland Southeast Asia. Located between Bangladesh and Thailand, with China to the north and India to the north-west, Myanmar's coastline includes both the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The estimated population of Myanmar for 2005 is approximately 50 million.

Visitors to Myanmar can ski to their hearts' content in the snowy mountains of Hkaka Borazi (highest mountain range in Asia), enjoy breathtaking vistas from a slow riverboat ride along the Ayeyarwady River, and wet their feet in incredibly warm waters of the thousand islands of the Mergui Archipelago. Almost half of the country is still unspoiled woodland. A traveler can find many ancient pagodas nestled within the natural sanctuaries which promote spirituality and reflection. Exploring the heavenly villages in the lush green valleys and hills exposes visitors to some of Myanmar's over 200 ethnic groups still practicing traditional ways of life that date back hundreds of years. The dominant ethnic group is the Bamar who speak Burmese. 10% of the population is Shan, who speak Shan dialects related to Lao and Thai. The Karen makes up 7% of the population, and speaks languages distantly related to Burmese. Other main ethnic groups are Rakhine, Kachin, Kayah, Chin, and Mon.

While both rice and noodles are common staples in the soups and salads prevalent in Myanmar cuisine, it was Jasmine rice that earned the country name, the Rice Bowl of Asia. At our pavilion, you will experience several mouthwatering dishes including:

  • Mohinga: a savory rice vermicelli, egg, coriander, onion and garlic in a hearty fish soup
  • Oun-No-Khauk-Swe: egg noodles and lightly curried chicken in coconut milk
  • Let-Thoke-Sone: a mixed vegetable salad with noodles and a blend of Myanmar spices
  • Delectable lightly breaded vegetable fries, a popular treat from Myanmar's city streets

Snacks and desserts include:

  • Laphet-Thoke: a green tea leaf salad with assorted beans,nuts and sesame seeds
  • Gyin-Thoke: a refreshing ginger salad
  • Ye-Khe-Thoke: a sweet and cool ice dessert with flavoured syrup, glass jelly and nuts
  • Shwe-Kyi-Sa-Nwin-Ma-Kin: a semolina cake with coconut milk, topped with poppy seeds

We will take you on a tour of the Golden Land to experience the spectacular dances and customs of Myanmar's many ethnic groups. The Mya Thida Dance Troupe will share with you the ancient dances of the Pagan era and the more modern rhythmic movements of the Shan Yoma drums and gongs, with many magical stops in the eras in between. There will also be a fashion show taken straight from the streets of Yangon, as well as viewings of documentary videos for those who wish to know more of the people and their daily lives.

At our pavilion you can view samples of many of Myanmar's finest crafts including: lacquerware, shwe-chi-htoe (gold thread) embroidery, silk and cotton weaving, the art of wood and marble sculpture, gold leaf, silver wear and pottery. Each is an art form representing generations of knowledge and talent. Lacquerware for instance, is an ancient craft, still very much alive today in the regions of Pagan, Pyay and Shan State. Creating Lacquerware involves a lovingly patient process of coating, drying and re-coating layers of woven bamboo over a period of months. The climax of this process is the artist's expression through the complex and delicate task of hand-etching original designs in vivid colours.

Included for your enjoyment is a selection of traditional Myanmar games for children and the child in all of us. See how the youth of Myanmar spend their free time in company of family and friends, enjoying these fun, and easy to learn games. Come and play with us!

Also available of your enjoyment and participation is a booth dedicated to Thanaka, the ancient Myanmar cosmetics that help keep the women of Myanmar so beautiful and alluring.

Join us at the Myanmar Pavilion to experience each ethnic group's contribution to our unique culture, delicious cuisine, exquisite crafts, vibrant dress, and beautiful dances. Let us take you to the real Myanmar, and show you the unique beauty and diversity of the land and her people.

Showtimes

Friday: 7:00pm, 9:00pm, 11:00pm
Saturday: 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm
Sunday: 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm

Your Hosts

Myanmar Cultural Association of Brampton www.mcab.ca

Location

Jim Archdekin Recreation Centre
292 Conestoga Drive (Bovaird Dr. W / North on Connestoga)
Brampton, ON

Committee

Patricia Yi Yi Mya: 905-791-9814
Bessie Terzi: 905-799-5739