Efforts in progress to establish national costumes representing Myanmar's 135 ethnic groups
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Eain/ Saw (NP News) - Feb 26
The Ministry of Religion and Culture is working to define the national costumes of the 135 ethnic groups in Myanmar.
On the afternoon of February 17, a meeting to determine the correct national costumes for Myanmar's ethnic groups was held at the Swel Taw Saung Conference Hall at the National University of Art and Culture (Yangon) in Dagon (South), Yangon Region.
The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Religion and Culture, Deputy Minister Daw Nu Mya Zan (Cultural Department), members of the Committee for Determining the National Costume of Myanmar's Ethnic Peoples, ministers from the region and state governments, and officials from the National University of Art and Culture (Yangon).
“A committee has been formed. From the committee, they will hold meetings about the dress code of ethnic groups. Relevant ethnic groups, representatives, knowledgeable groups, and each ethnic group will work together. They have a timeline for their committee. They will act based on that timeline,” U Arkar Kyaw, director of the Ministry of Religion and Culture, told The NP News.
In processing, they will collaborate with experts, the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, and other relevant organizations.
The Myanmar National Costume Determination Committee was formed with the principle of “innovation should not overtake tradition" to study and report on the origins of ethnic costumes to avoid any misunderstandings about ethnic costumes.
Deputy Minister Daw Nu Mya Zan has said that to properly define ethnic costumes, historical evidence, field research reports, and coordination with relevant ethnic literature and cultural groups should be conducted, daily wear and ceremonial wear should be distinguished, ethnic costumes should be copyrighted, and intangible cultural heritage laws should be established.