Burma (Myanmar)

Burma.

These images were taken in Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar, as well as in Nyaungshwe, near Inle Lake, Shan State.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A local guide looks across a Hmong village in the mountains above Nyaungshwe. Avocado’s, Tobacco, Tea etc. are some of the staple crops….

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Making Rice Balls. Three women fold a fragile mixture of rice flower into balls, a staple of the daily diet. They work 12 hours each day.

September, 2002.
Yangon, Yangon Division, Myanmar.
Sheltering from a sudden downpour is a daily event during the monsoon.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Jumping Cat Monastery. A monk entices a cat to jump through a hoop to the amusement of the occasional tourist.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Returning from the floating markets on Inle Lake during the afternoon rains on Inle Lake.

A woman sews colourful strings into the national “Longyi” skirt worn by all men and women. Her hand seems to replicate the cloud outside.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A woman shelters from the rain inside a tea shop, whilst another runs past.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
After collecting rain water in a tin, a man sets to work lighting a fire to make a pot of Chinese tea.

September, 2002.
Yangon, Yangon Division, Myanmar.
A woman bows in prayer inside a temple of Shwedagon Paya, the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Women from a warring ethnic minority near the border of Thailand are forced to relocate to a governement run village near Nyaungshwe where they spend their days on display for the occasional tourist.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A young mother stands in the field near her home with her baby. While practically self-sufficient in resources, she is collects firewood 6 days a week, which she sells at the market for Kyat needed to buy medicine.

September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A boy leans through the window of a young girl making rice flower balls.