Page 8 - Myanmar Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

THE PEOPLE Burma has seven minority-dominated states: Rakhine (Arakan), Chin Kachin, Kayin (Kawthule), Kayak, Mon and Shan. There are seven division populated mainly by Bamars (Burmese); Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Magway (Magwe), Mooooandalay, Bago (Pegu), Yangon (Rangoon), Sagaing and Tanintharyl. PAGE 3 Population | Time | Visas Burmese Names: Unlike Western culture, there are no family names in Insurance | History Burmese usage. Men and women, parents and children, married couples PAGE 4-5 and single people cannot be differentiated by their names. Women keep History | Language their maiden names upon marriage, and a child can have a name which bears no relation whatsoever to his parent's names. PAGE 6 Climate A Burmese has a name of one, two or three syllables, given to him (or SAFETY & CRIME PAGE 7 her) shortly after birth at a naming ceremony. Parents consult an Myanmar generally has a low rate The Land authority in astrology and supernatural knowledge - perhaps a monk, a of violent crime, but you should PAGE 8 soothsayer or a spiritual medium when selecting a name. While this remain aware of your People | Safety & Crime practice does not follow Buddhist doctrine, it is customary throughout surroundings and exercise the country. appropriate security precautions. PAGE 9 The government typically does not Currency | Credit Cards Changing Money | Tipping A Burmese can change their name as often as they like. If they feel they allow tourists to travel to areas can bring success to a new enterprise or change their fortune by doing so, which they consider militarily PAGE 10 they will change their name. Small children are often given unpleasant insecure. Tourists have rarely been Religion | Etiquette names to ward off illness and evil, and when they are grown up, they victims of civil crime other PAGE 11 change their names to something more pleasant. Only through mode of than those that have been stung Communications address can one tell the sex or social status of a Burmese. making purchase on the black Health & Vaccinations market. PAGE 12 Food| Shopping | Customs The most dangerous thing a visitor is likely to encounter is not crime PAGE 13-14 but a Russell's Viper - one of the Culture & The Arts | Religion world's deadliest snakes. It is worth taking particular care in and around old pagodas - Particularly in Pagan, where sun warmed bricks and cool crevices provide perfect living conditions for snakes. Scorpions are also a problem in Myanmar and visitors are advise to shake out their shoes after leaving pagoda complexes and each morning when dressing.