Traditional tapestry sales surge in Bagan’s Myinkaba Village

 

As Bagan is renowned for its rich cultural and historical heritage, the ancient city has long been a hub for traditional crafts. Among its artisan villages, Myinkaba has gained recognition for producing exquisite handwoven tapestry paintings. Since the beginning of the year, orders for these intricate artworks have surged, driving a boom in sales and production.

 A local artisan U Zeya noted that Bagan is home to various traditional crafts including lacquerware, bamboo products, sand paintings and tapestry paintings. Myinkaba Village is famous for its unique tapestry art, which is highly sought after by both domestic and international tourists. He explained that large tapestries, measuring one to two feet or more are currently in high demand. While orders remain steady year-round, demand typically slows during the rainy season. Artisans are ramping up production to ensure a continuous supply to meet growing demand.

Due to the popularity of Myinkaba’s tapestry paintings, both artisans and resellers are benefiting from increased business. The tapestries, available in sizes ranging from one to seven feet, are priced between K10,000 and over K100,000, depending on craftsmanship and detail. Retailers purchase these works at wholesale prices and resell them at reasonable profits.

Apart from tapestry art, Myinkaba Village is also known for its lacquerware and bamboo craft industries, with consistent orders coming from cities like Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay.

The traditional tapestry painting craft in Bagan dates back over 30 years when the Bagan Archaeological Research Department began documenting ancient murals found on the walls of temples and stupas using thin paper overlays. This process inspired local artisans to develop tapestry painting as a commercial enterprise, which has since thrived. Today, artisans blend historical designs with contemporary styles to create unique artworks.

With increasing recognition in the tourism sector, producers are striving to establish a strong market presence. Since the beginning of the year, tapestry paintings from Myinkaba Village have gained popularity among both domestic and international visitors. Continuous orders from various regions and states have contributed to the steady demand, solidifying these intricate artworks as one of Myanmar’s treasured traditional crafts with strong sales.

Nyein Thu (MNA)/KZL

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