Longing for Bontaw (Collection of Pastoral-Themed Stories)

Book Title – Longing for Bontaw (Collection of Pastoral-Themed Stories)
Author – Nay Chi Nu (Yenangyoung)
Publishing House – Lin Lun Khin
Publication Date – December 2024 (1st Edition)
Price – K7,000

This week’s picks are based on pastoral and agrarian themes in literature, encompassing a wide range of topics that focus on the relationship between humans, animals and the natural environment. The first one is a book titled ‘Longing for Bontaw’ (Collection of Pastoral-Themed Stories), written by Saya Nay Chi Nu (Yenangyoung), published by Lin Lun Khin Publishing House to mark its 17th anniversary.
The endpaper illustrates the pictures of small puppets (traditional marionettes) that are found hanging from the trees in the Bagan ancient cultural zone, along with the following quotation.
“The small puppets are used as culturally rich decorations in hotel lobbies, resorts, rooms, showrooms, and stores. Lively and dynamic traditional marionette performances (notably Yoke Thay, string-controlled puppetry arts) are nearly extinct. Consequently, the marionette has become just a wooden figure with no lifelike movement”
The book started with a foreword by the renowned writer Chit Oo Nyo. He pointed out that all the literature works crafted by Nay Chi Nu (Yenangyaung) from various perspectives and a multitude of emotions highlighted only the white colour, representing loving kindness and compassion. Furthermore, reading this collection will make you feel satisfied as if you are enjoying a truly home-cooked meal served with utmost hospitality by the family of your friend when you are extremely hungry.
It is like the saying that when you eat delicious food, you remember those you love and care for. Similarly, if I find good books, I cannot resist recommending them to others. So, I hereby affirm that it is a must-read for fellow avid readers.
The author writes in the preface under the title of A Letter to Readers, Letters from Readers that if I had to summarize and introduce this book with one specific sentence, I would say: “As I am someone born in central Myanmar village, I penned those literary works to document rural life, culture, tradition and customs and encourage future generations to cherish, preserve and value them.”
The book contains 11 nostalgic stories: While Mother is Still in the Village, Longing for the Sound of Bontaw Calling to Alms, Locals Applying Thanaka on Face (Pakwatkya) on Carts and Boats, Let’s Go and Share Alms, Chapped Lips on the Earthen Pot, Which Direction it Goes, Traditional Village Game, Thanaka Pieces, Memorable Calendars, A Nostalgic Painting and Pay Homage to Mother.
Here is a piece of Saya Nay Chi Nu (Yenangyoung)’s writing about his beloved mother, whose heart is aching for his son, who has not returned to the village for a long period, while reading letters from her son. Therefore, she wrote a letter to his son on a summer day.
“No, dear son, please come back to me.
Even if it was just for a little while,
While mom is still in the village,
Mom does not desire snacks or money. Once you are free, drop by for a while”. Those letters are filled with the mother’s painful tears, moaning and deep desire for a son to return home.
Although I cannot read my mother’s heart, this letter brings tears to my eyes. The sound of a mother’s longing for his son, especially for the chapter, While the Mother is Still in the Village, touched my heart and soul. Even though that sound echoed in my heart, I just got married.
“The nature of mothers is giving. They tend to deliver loving-kindness and compassion. If they have to take something, it is certain until the end of the world that they do not expect anything in return except for the reciprocated love of their children. (While the Mother is Still in the Village).

gnlm