THANAKA, a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made of ground bark, is commonly known as a natural cosmetic in Myanmar. It is a distinct feature of Myanmar people’s culture. The majority of Myanmar people prefer to wear Thanaka from the old to young. However, Thanaka enters the competitive market against the chemical cosmetic products with chemical ingredients such as moisture cream, makeup products, sunscreen, toner, etc., in a rapidly changing world. Regardless of the formulated cosmetic products, Myanmar’s Thanaka is regarded as a cultural heritage. Inevitably, Myanmar people apply to Thanaka despite the use of certain beauty products.
Myanmar
people have been preserving the tradition of wearing Thanaka for generations.
The mural paintings of temples that were built in the Bagan era depicted the
tradition of the ladies wearing Thanaka. Moreover, Thanaka tradition and
demonstrations can be seen in literature and arts, classical poems, folk songs,
tales and languages. As a result of this, it is undeniably true that Myanmar
people have been applying Thanaka on the face and arms and legs as natural
cosmetics for generations.
It is
believed that Myanmar people have applied it for health benefits and skin
beauty since they were young.
Mothers also
apply Thanaka on their babies after taking a bath. Sometimes, they let their
children taste Thanaka paste while grinding it on a circular stone slab
(Kyauk-pyin) with a bit of water. It’s believed that Thanaka keeps them cool,
gives nutritional value and prevents nutritional rickets. Babies are wrapped in
layettes (locally called A-hnee) after wearing Thanaka. It’s said to reduce
body heat. Myanmar’s children with Thanaka applied on their faces look
innocent, adorable and beautiful.
It is said
that Myanmar women’s dignity was Thanaka as they wore them in the daytime, and
older generations believe that they lack the appearance and elegant features of
Myanmar women if they have a bare face. Thanaka’s fragrance and yellowish-white
natural look are appealing and make people peaceful. Moreover, there’s a
distinctive custom that people give Thanaka souvenirs from trips. Myanmar
people are delighted with this present. Myanmar people love to smell Thanaka’s
fragrance.
Thanaka
trees are commonly found in tropical central Myanmar regions, Magway, Mandalay
and Sagaing regions. It cannot be grown in wetland areas and salt-affected
land. Thanaka can prevent sunburn and heat. Therefore, the villagers engaged in
farms always heavily wear Thanaka as it is said to soften the skin, and prevent
wrinkles and sunburn. Thanaka’s root gives you a more refreshing sensation. In
summer, both the young and the old wear Thanaka on their faces, arms, and legs
due to its cooling effects and skin benefits.
Nowadays,
the Thanaka market feels threatened by the competitive market of formulated
cosmetics. There are a variety of choices for cosmetic products. Besides, they
are a bit pricey compared to Thanaka’s price. Nevertheless, cosmetic
advertising promotes the products, and the Thanaka market has become weak. Some
wrongly commented that Thanaka gives freckles and pores. Thanaka, which passes
down from the previous generations, is actually suitable for Myanmar weather
conditions. Myanmar’s traditional medicine refers to Thanaka treating skin
diseases and curing rashes of hot weather and specific skin problems from cold
weather.
In the
medical aspect, Thanaka is an organic cosmetic in its purest form, and it has
no harm to people and the environment. It can reduce wrinkles and treat
freckles and acne. Its refreshing and cooling sensation will also protect you
from sunburn and skin cancer.
The cosmetics
with chemical ingredients might cause skin allergies. No one is allergic to
Thanaka. Myanmar composers appreciate the beauty of Myanmar women wearing
Thanaka and traditional costumes as dignified and gorgeous ones. People accept
Thanaka’s cultural value and its distinctive features.
It is
mistaken that applying Thanaka on faces will give you freckles. Thanaka is a
remedy for smooth skin. The biological studies showed that it has medicinal
properties that could help in the prevention of certain diseases and boost
blood flow. Some females consider it a waste of time and apply other cosmetics
like lotion. Meanwhile, some have worn it the whole time since they were young.
They look younger with softened skin. Thanaka is a natural cosmetic with
beneficial properties for Myanmar women.
Some use
dried cobra saffron in grinding Thanaka bark for fragrance, and some even use
turmeric for the yellow skin in rural communities. Some women from the mountain
regions mixed it with cucumber-infused water for more benefits and beauty with
red cheeks. The ladies apply their faces to the shape of a leaf. Song composer
Ko Nyunt Wai composed the beauty of women from the upper Myanmar region wearing
Thanaka in his lyrics. Famous singer Twantay Thein Tan sang it, “… Par Oh Ni Ni
Lay Nel Hla Tel Nang Cherry Yay” (meaning A beautiful young woman with red
cheeks called Nang Cherry).
Shan ethnic
women have a unique style of wearing Thanaka. The ladies use cucumber-infused
water. The middle-aged women apply Thanaka heavily on their faces. The older
female applies it with some makeup foundation. They look elegant and beautiful.
People living in the central Myanmar Region have brown skin due to the
scorching weather. They are complimented as attractive women as they possess
light brown skin tone with Thanaka cosmetics. Classical song of a popular
composer Nandaw Shay Saya Tin praised how Shwebo Thanaka variety will give you
yellowish skin colour, how dark the skin colour is, and it is worth taking as a
souvenir from Sagaing to Yangon cities. (a lyric stating, “Shwebo Thanaka Tone
Myar Yangon Lain Pho U, Bl Lo A Thar Mel Mel War War Nyat Nyat Phyu”).
Myanmar New
Year Festival also includes Thanaka applying events beyond the water throwing.
The seasonal gum-kino (Pterocarpus macrocarpus) and Thanaka fragrance will give
more refreshing and peaceful minds in the new year. The composers also put the
Thanaka tradition of Myanmar people in Thingyan songs as well, depicting the
culture and friendly behaviour of Myanmar people who are wearing Thanaka and
enjoying the water festival. The modern song also has the lyrics of a lovely
girl with Thanaka. The composers never fail to praise the beauty of Thanaka for
generations.
Thanaka
value-added products such as Thanaka powder, perfume, cream, makeup and
ointment are manufactured. Myanmar Thanaka Planters and Producers Association
is also encouraging the growers to practice the systematic growing method, the
people to use the organic Thanaka and penetrate the international market. They
are striving to preserve the Thanaka tradition of the Myanmar people. The
imported cosmetics may not be suitable for Myanmar’s weather conditions, and
sometimes, it can lead to harmful impacts. As a result of this, this article is
written to promote and preserve Myanma Thanaka, which is suitable for its own
weather condition and honour Myanmar women wearing natural Thanaka.
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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