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Capital: Yangon
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Français = copier texte de 2000 Español = copiar texto de 2000
The British ruled Burma for more than a century but when they went in 1948 they left an artificial conglomerate of ethnocentric states whose only common goal was independence. Once that was achieved, the new "democratic" government in the hands of the Burman U Nu, faced armed rebellion from all parts as it reneged on the 1948 Panglong treaty that had promised autonomy to the various ethnic groups that made up the country. In 1962 a military revolutionary council led by general Ne Win, took over to lead the country towards socialism. The country has been in a state of "controlled" turmoil ever since, with periodic peaks of agitation such as student disturbances in 1974 the massive 1988 demonstrations that ousted Ne Win and led to the formation of the present junta called the "State Law and Order Restoration Council" (SLORC), led by General Saw Maung. The SLORC changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar and promised elections but maintained a totalitarian style of power. Elections were held and lost in 1990. The military immediately stepped in and imprisoned, exiled or killed the elected members of the National League for Democracy opposition party. Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of the national hero Boyoke Aung San, became internationally known as the champion of democracy and human rights in Myanmar. In 1997 the SLORC changed its name to "State Peace and Development Council" but it is still known as SLORC which has almost become a bad word. For more detailed information on the political situation you may wish to visit the following sites: Free Burma, Burma Campaign Aung San Suu Kyi . To see the SLORC's side of the coin, visit the Myanmar Gvt. Site. |
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After many fruitless efforts to salvage the few discoloured prints that I had not thrown out, I found that the best solution was to scan them in black and white.
The once prosperous Rangoon had been steadily sliding into disrepair for more than two decades when I stopped there for a short visit in 1973.
Widespread poverty was evident. Most people went barefoot and some who had sandals often carried them in hand like this young woman and the monks below left.
Not all were poor for General Ne Win's military cronies were skimming the cream off what was left of the crumbling economy. The lady in the white silk dress below obviously belonged to that privileged class.
Monks were numerous and ubiquitous. Buddhism in Myanmar is of the thereveda variety, also practiced in Thailand, where individuals are responsible only for their own salvation.
Most men interrupt their secular life to gain positive karma by spending some years as monks just like in Thailand. Positive karma can also be gained by giving generously to temple syndicates. Consequently, there are many well maintained temples in that very poor country.
On the left, Sule Pagoda in the heart of Yangon.
On the right, Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the largest in Myanmar. The square structure is a modern elevator that one can take to avoid running the gauntlet of souvenir vendors that line the stairway going up the hill just left of the lion in this picture.
Shwedagon Pagoda on the hilltop is surrounded by a forest of minor temples built there by the powerful to save their souls from the wheel of life.
You have been patient enough to bear with my dull black and white pictures so you deserve a little colour diversion. Here is bird's eye view the gold plated Shwedagon Pagoda.
The black border indicates that this is not one of my photos. It was scanned from a postcard.
You will find more colour photos of Shwedagon in the travelogue about my 2000 visit to Myanmar.
