Database of Southeast Asian Sociocultural Information

Myanmar houses a few museums. Most of them are run by the state such as National Museum of Myanmar in Yangon. Other interesting museums are historical sites that once sheltered Burmese prominent political leaders such as General Aung San House and U Thant House. These attract both foreign visitors and the Burmese.

National Museum of Myanmar

The National Museum was built in the 1950’s and later in 1996 the museum building was established on Pye Street. The museum illustrates Burmese history. On the ground floor, it features the insignias of King Bodawpaya while the other two floors display pre-historic artifacts, Burmese clothing, the history of opium agriculture, wooden tools and significant Buddha images of Bagan Dynasty known as the glorious days of Buddhism. (ระวิน แพงจันทร์, 2547:22)

Museums in different towns

In addition to the National Museum, there are other ethnic museums illustrating stories of 7 ethnic groups including Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Shan, and Rakhine. Chin State Cultural Museum displays copper tools and utensils, silver utensils, the native clothing, bamboo-made furniture, soil-made pipes, musical instruments and Chin weapons. This museum is located in Hakha, Chin State. Kachin State Cultural Museum displays the native clothing, the native cloths, materials for cloth weaving, silver utensils, jewelries, furniture, musical instruments, weapons and Kachin shelters. This museum was built on 6th November 1994 in Myitkyina, Kachin State. Kayah State Cuitural Museum displays copper drums featured in wedding ceremony and funeral, stone beads, furniture, musical instruments, looms, the native clothing, silver utensils, weapons and paintings. This museum was built on 18th September 1996 in Loikaw, Kayah State. Kayin State Cultural Museum displays ways of the Kayin life, ivories, musical instruments, Buddha images, furniture, looms, porcelains and Kayin literature. This museum was built in November 1992. Mandalay Cultural Museum displays the royal utilities of King Mindong and King Thebaw. It also features the works of Saya Chon, the court’s favorite artist. (wikipedia, 2015) Mon State Cultural Museum displays Mon history and utensils such as musical instruments, copper and silver accessories and Buddhist religious artifacts. This museum was built in March 1990. Museum of Shan Sawbwa displays history. The museum is dedicated to Sao Shwe Thaike, the first president of Chan. It features Chan princes’ clothes, furniture, religious artifacts, records and porcelains. Pathein Cultural Museum displays Pathein utensils such as bamboo umbrellas, Buddha images, paintings, copper utilities, porcelains, weapons, pipes and art artifacts. Rakhine State Cultural Museum displays Rakhine utensils, the native-weaving loom, stone inscriptions, musical instruments, Buddha images and paintings. This museum was built in February 1996. Shan State Cultural Museum display Shan royal utilities such as swords, fans, chairs and Shan cothing. This museum was built in March 1989. Taungdwingyi Cultural Museum displays ancient Pyu art artifacts such as porcelains, glassware, Buddha images, Pyu coins and tombs. This museum was built in December 1996.  (wikipedia, 2015) Archeological Museum, Bagan displays pre-historic copper utensils, copper Buddha images, wooden and stone Buddha images aged from 11-13 century. This museum was opened to public in October 1973. (lonelyplanet, 2015)

House Museums of Great Burmese Figures

In addition to the National Museum and important ethnic museums in different areas, Myanmar has house museums of the great Burmese figures as well. Aung San House Museum located near Shwedagon Pagoda and Mahavishya Pagoda. It is a leisure place for the town people where it offers different activities like picnicking, a playground and a museum in the garden for everybody in a family. It once belonged to General Aung San and his wife in 1920. (hoteltravel, 2015) U Thant House Museum was a house of U Thant, a former United Nation secretary. He played a vital role during the cold war. The two-story house’s architecture is influenced by the colonial style and was finished renovated in December 2013. The renovation took 2 years. (voicetv 21 , 2015)