Painted Bamboo Tray: Charming Handicrafts Using Locally Grown Materials

Myanmar traditional weaved bamboo trays have been used for various purposes including serving foods, carrying utensils and many other household uses.

These multi-purpose trays are now become popular for interior decorations.

A traditional art house from Mandalay initiated the idea of paintings on bamboo trays for decoration, and it attracts interest of many customers.

Buyer, Yin Chaw Ei said “Since this is Myanmar handicraft made with traditional bamboo tray, I happen to buy it for decoration. It is durable and the price is reasonable.”

There are about four sizes of painted bamboo tray which created with various designs which dominate traditional customs and also according to the customers' demands.

The price is ranged from around 20,000 to 40,000 kyats respectively depending on the tray size.

Owner's Daughter, SwalDaw Myanmar Handicrafts, Thiri Nanda Shwe Wah Phone said “We painted many designs on bamboo trays including sceneries, Buddha images, and portraits. We have four types of bamboo trays which range from 7 inches, 11 inches, 22 inches and 44 inches. Sometimes, we have to paint on the different sizes of bamboo trays according to the customers' order. 11 and 22 inches-size are the most demanding items, it always available here.”

Apart from the painted bamboo trays, different creation of artworks on coconut shells, stones, dried gourds and many others handicrafts can been available.

Owner, SwalDaw Myanmar Handicrafts, Khin Myo Myint Shwe said “Creating artworks need innovation. We cannot stop in creating one design, and new items are needed to introduce. We first created traditional shawls. And then, we painted on dried gourds.”

These handicrafts are also exported to the neighbouring countries and some European countries.

Owner's Daughter, SwalDaw Myanmar Handicrafts, Thiri Nanda Shwe Wah Phone said “We also export our artworks. In local market, we have most orders from Yangon. For export market, we mainly got orders from Singapore. We also export to Canada, Australia and neighbouring countries like Thailand and China.”

Mandalay is the historical old capital, and most of the Myanmar traditional arts and crafts can be seen there. Creating these charming handicrafts using locally grown materials reflect regional culture and heritage, and it provides an experience of unique culture to the visitors.