Supporters and opponents of Myanmar’s military government are engaged in a bloody civil war, but a celebration on Wednesday feted something almost all find worthy: the use of thanakha, a yellowish-white paste made from ground tree bark as a traditional natural cosmetic.
Members of 36 social organizations, ranging in age from 5 to 80, came together on Wednesday in a park in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, to showcase thanakha as a symbol of Myanmar society by competing in traditional songs and dances.
Sandar Khin, chairperson of the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust, which organized the competition, said it was being held to highlight the culture of thanakha and help bring it to world attention.
Myanmar is applying to add thanakha to UNESCO's world Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Foes of military rule are also devoted users of the paste, and in early demonstrations against the military’s 2021 seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, used it to paint protest symbols on their faces.
