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Burma "Life and Death in Burma" Jay Dunn 24 images Created 27 Mar 2008

Burma, 2003. "Life and Death in Burma" --

Reined in firmly by her military rulers, Burma is a land of tragic history and inspiring possibilities. These photographs are a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Burmese, at prayer, going to a wedding, or saying goodbye to a village chief.

Made poor in a country rich with resources, and deprived of their rightful leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, these are a people who miraculously still find strength in their community, in a steadfast spirituality, and against all odds, in a collective hope for a better future.

-- More at www.jaydunn.org --
Humanitarian Issues & Cultural Tradition Worldwide
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  • BURMA / MYANMAR. Shan State, Kalaw- .Peinnebin Village. 2006. Women in the lead, Wan Tha?s wedding procession arrives in Peinnebin after a full day?s journey, dressed in their finest "longyis," or traditional skirts..
    Burma.JDUNN.1.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. A Palaung tribal elder blesses Wan Tha and Ma Ko by sprinkling water on them from a consecrated bowl.
    Burma.JDUNN.10.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR),Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Ma Ko gets final advice before the ceremony. Her traditional Palaung clothing and headdress took two hours to prepare.
    Burma.JDUNN.11.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. The Palaung rules of marriage are read to Wan Tha and Ma Ko by the village elder, a solemn moment in which both can reflect on what they have undertaken.
    Burma.JDUNN.12.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR),Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Early risers get a view of the food preparations. Most Palaung houses are built far off the ground to ensure their stability in the seasonal rains.
    Burma.JDUNN.13.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR),Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Just after herwedding ceremony in the longhouse, Ma Ko takes a moment for a portrait. She and Wan Tha will be back in the fields two days later for the Palaung sesame harvest.
    Burma.JDUNN.14.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Palaung children watch the whole village gather outside their window after the wedding ceremony.
    Burma.JDUNN.15.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Myinkabar. 2006. Aung Thein Thay?s coffin is carried through Myinkabar, accompanied by a heavy triangular bell, and a priest scattering coins and paper wishes.
    Burma.JDUNN.16.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR) Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar. 2006. These temple guardians watch over their small corner of the world. Even devout Burmese Buddhists also believe in "nats," or resident spirits.
    Burma.JDUNN.17.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar. 2006. In the late afternoon, a Buddhist offering burns. Hundreds of temples remain on the plain, reminders of Bagan's glory days.
    Burma.JDUNN.18.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar.2006. At dawn, young monks wait for Lu Ro Bi?s magical "paya pwe," or temple festival, to begin. Some of the temples remaining on the Bagan plain have active constituents.
    Burma.JDUNN.19.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Kalaw. 2006. January is sesame harvest for the Pa-O and Palaung tribes who work in the Kalaw area. Wan Tha and Ma Ko returned to their labors two days after their wedding.
    Burma.JDUNN.2.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA(MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar .2006. Embraced by a reed mat, Aung Thein Thay's body was gently lowered into this last place. Wood is expensive, and the coffin was carried back to town.
    Burma.JDUNN.20.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar. 2006. Aung Thein Thay, the Myinkabar village chief, died at only 45 years old. The entire town participated in this religious blessing before burial.
    Burma.JDUNN.21.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar. 2006. Men from the village carry Aung Thein Thay's coffin high between the town and the blessing area near the gravesite. After the consecration, the decorations are removed.
    Burma.JDUNN.22.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar. 2006. Attended by relatives, Aung Thein Thay?s body lay out for two days for villagers to pay their respects.
    Burma.JDUNN.23.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Mandalay Division, Bagan, Myinkabar. 2006. A final journey for Aung Thein Thay, whose body has been blessed by Buddhist monks and prepared for burial.
    Burma.JDUNN.24.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Just after sunrise, even on the wedding day, hard-working Palaung students can be heard singing their homework. A musical framework aids memory.
    Burma.JDUNN.3.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR) Shan State, Kalaw. 2006. This former hill station under the British is home to an ethnically diverse group of Burmese, including Pa-O, Palaung, and Danu tribespeople.
    Burma.JDUNN.4.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Allowing herself some time to smile, Ma Ko is surrounded by assistants preparing her elaborate Palaung wedding headdress.
    Burma.JDUNN.5.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Wan Tha and Ma Ko's parents exchange symbolic gifts before the ceremony. This is a ritual only, as there is no dowry custom among the Palaung.
    Burma.JDUNN.6.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR),Shan State, Peinnebin, 2006. The village chief ensures everything is in place the night before the wedding. Palaung tradition allows separation if the marriage does not work out.
    Burma.JDUNN.7.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Wan Tha and Ma Ko are silent as they listen to the rules for Palaung marriages.
    Burma.JDUNN.8.life&d.jpg
  • BURMA (MYANMAR), Shan State, Peinnebin. 2006. Wan Tha and Ma Ko listen quietly to readings from the holy book of the Palaung tribe. Both 17 years old, their marriage was blessed by everyone in the village.
    Burma.JDUNN.9.life&d.jpg