Together Through Thanakha: An event to mark the Myanmar Thanakha Day

Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust organized an event “Together Through Thanakha” in Yangon on February 12th. 

Members of 36 social organizations took part in the Performance Competition Show, marking the Myanma Thanakha Day which usually falls on the Full Moon Day of Tabodwe.

The event also saw dozen of stalls, selling bunches of chopped Thanakha wood and cosmetics made from Thanakha.

Sandar Khin,Chairperson,Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust, said " The people of Myanmar cherish the tradition of applying Thanakha. We aim to promote this cultural practice, which is an intangible cultural heritage of our country. We plan to submit this tradition to UNESCO for inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List. The practice of applying Thanakha dates back to the Bagan Era, as evidenced by the discovery of Thanakha grinding slab pieces. To safeguard this intangible culture and pass it down to future generations, we are working toward having it listed on the UNESCO ICH List."

Ranging in age from 5 to 80, came together, to showcase thanakha as a symbol of Myanmar society by competing in traditional songs and dances. 

May Myint Moh Chi, Participant, said " Our group will portray rural customs through a performance featuring the harp and cane ball. Our performance will also highlight the use of Thanakha by rural people when they go about their daily activities. I’m truly honored to take part in this performance."

Thanakha comes from the bark of several tropical sandalwood tree species that grow in central Myanmar’s dry zones. Thanakha-painted cheeks are popular in Myanmar, where women and children apply the paste on their cheeks. 

Swe Zin Htike, Judge, said " Thanakha has been used since the time of our ancestors as a medicine and aroma therapy as well as for skin improvement. Thanakha and Myanmar people could not be separated. People from all walks of life and any age use Thanakha."

Thanakha was initially proposed for inclusion on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in March 2020, but the application was rejected for being incomplete. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture is working to submit a new nomination by the end of March.

If recognition is achieved, Thanakha will become Myanmar’s second intangible cultural heritage to be recognized by UNESCO, after its traditional water festival of Thingyan was added last December.