At Inle Lake, the only
way to get around is by
longboat. It is also the
only place in the world
to find fabric made from
lotus plants. Natural
dyes (right) give lotus
thread its vivid color.
borders, the land of Burma
seems shrouded in mystery and
controversy. A military govern-
ment has controlled it since
1962 under a policy of economic
isolation, and the nation, now
known by the sometimes dis-
puted name of Myanmar, is one
of the least-visited countries in
Southeast Asia. Few outsiders
come here, and even fewer
know about ancient Burmese
crafts such as lacquerware and
lotus weaving that have been
handed down for generations.
Many of these crafts and the
people who practice them are
suffering in the face of flagging
tourism, which accounts for up
to 90 percent of artisans’ sales.
That’s a shame, because anyone
who ventures into Myanmar
will find that the country - with
its welcoming people, natural
beauty, and vibrant culture -
has much to offer.
The 11th-century town of
Bagan, home to a thousand
ancient temples, lies along the
banks of the Ayeyarwady River
(formerly known as the Irra-
waddy River) near the center of
Myanmar, and boasts a rich
history along with a wealth of
artisan craft. It is the epicenter
of traditional lacquerware,
a labor-intensive craft deeply
ingrained in the town’s fabric
since it was founded a millen-
nium ago. Lacquerware is used
in royal palaces, temples, and
ordinary Burmese homes.
At Bagan House Lacquer-
ware Workshop, one of the
largest production shops, you
fcb/marn american craft 093
