Our World

Preserving The Myanmar Culture

Myanmar is a country barely marked by the global culture. According to the article you won't find Coca-Cola, Starbucks, McDonalds, or other forms of global consumer culture. Instead, this country has taken heavy measures to protect their way of life. In 1960, the government closed its borders to safeguard itself from "alien influence and the evils of western culture." Satellite hookups are availably by government-issued licenses. Not only that, but it is illegal and punishable, with sentences from 7-15 years to use the internet! Why would the government act so extreme, as to forbid western culture? Well-"the new Prime Minister of Myanmar, Khin Nyunt, once summed up their position on foreign influence, saying, "cultures and standards of large countries with the upper hand in technology, and economy have been breaking up, overwhelming and changing national and traditional cultures of smaller ones," and that it was up to the country's youth to preserve and maintain traditional culture. At different times his government has outlawed rock n' roll, break dancing, and western-style dress." Therefore, the citizens dress in tradional "garb and wear multicolored tube-like skirts." The only T.V. typically watched contains cultural dancing, songs, and stories.
With strong efforts being made, the Myanmar culture is currently being preserved. However, their are many outside influences such as the changing economy that could eventually affect the culture. I think that hybridization could occur if the preservation falls. Although this is a controversial debate, no one person can know the exact answer. Only time will tell, what fate the culture will meet.
*If you want to know more go to this site, it's surprisingly interesting.
The Myanmar Culture

posted by Anonymous @ 2/05/2006 11:16:00 AM