Myanmar Nominates Traditional Tea Culture for UNESCO Heritage Listing

yoonpresoff

News Image

  • Myanmar Nominates Traditional Tea Culture for UNESCO Heritage Listing

Compiled from regions and states nationwide, Myanmar’s inventory of intangible cultural heritage comprises 2,289 items, including 104 related to language and oral traditions, 506 to performing arts, 651 to social customs and festivals, 199 to knowledge and practices concerning nature and society, and 829 to traditional crafts, all of which have been designated for the first time as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Register.

The Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust, a conservation organization, has submitted documentation to seek the inscription of Myanmar’s green tea culture on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chairperson Daw Sandar Khin of the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust said that the collected information was submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the focal point, on 25 February. The ministry then examines it and submits it to the government office. When the government office agrees, it is submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs then sends it to the Myanmar Ambassador/Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris, France.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit the application to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) section through the Myanmar Embassy in Paris before 31 March 2026. Currently, Myanmar’s tea culture is being nominated for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In addition, the traditional Myanma Thanaka cultural practice was submitted to UNESCO in 2025, so a decision is likely to be made by the end of this year.
The Traditional Myanma Ata Thingyan Festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the first time in 2024.
The inventory of Myanmar’s intangible cultural heritage, compiled from each region and state, includes 104 items related to language, oral traditions, and expressions; 506 items related to performing arts; 651 items related to social customs and festivals; 199 items related to knowledge and practices concerning nature and society; and 829 items related to traditional crafts. In total, 2,289 items have been designated as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Register for the first time. — ASH/TH

gnlm

EN-News-Category

Related News

Health Sector: Union Minister visits kidney transplant patients
Health Sector: Union Minister visits kidney transplant patients
Union Health Minister Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win visited Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital (1000-bed) to observe and encourage patients who underwent the 4th and 5th kidney transplant surgeries on February 25 and 26.The 4th transplant involved a 45-year-old female patient from Zabuthiri Township and a 20-year-old male donor, lasting 6 hours. The 5th transplant involved a 34-year-old male patient from Pyawbwe Township and a 36-year-old female donor, lasting 5 hours. All patients and donors are recovering well.The Union Minister reviewed the surgical procedures, patients’ recovery, and hospital management, and urged the medical teams to continue conducting kidney transplants regularly to make treatment accessible and reduce costs for patients who otherwise might need to go abroad for surgery.Domestic kidney transplant surgeries are now being successfully performed, making essential treatment more accessible to patients and reducing the need for costly overseas procedures. These surgeries are currently being carried out regularly at Specialist Hospital (500-bed) in Yangon, Mandalay People’s Hospital, and Nay Pyi Taw People’s Hospital (1000- bed).mitv
Wed, 4-Mar-2026
Coordination Meeting : Preparation for first regular Hluttaw session
Coordination Meeting : Preparation for first regular Hluttaw session
A coordination meeting of Health Committee was held at the Ministry of Health to ensure the smooth running of the 3rd Hluttaw's first regular session.Union Minister Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win highlighted the need for seamless coordination among committee members, working groups, and relevant departments to ensure quick responses to health emergencies. He emphasized the preparation of appropriate patient rooms and the setup of necessary medical facilities at 1000-bed Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital and No. 2 Military Hospital.He also stressed the importance of maintaining hygiene, proper food preparation, and health checks to prevent contagious diseases. Furthermore, the meeting discussed ensuring safe drinking water, cleaning environments, and ongoing health services. The health committee members presented their progress on various tasks, including medical treatment, water quality control, disease prevention, and environmental sanitation. The Union Minister concluded the meeting by urging all members to ensure thorough preparation and proper health services for the hluttaw session.mitv
Wed, 4-Mar-2026
Shan United eye sixth straight crown
Shan United eye sixth straight crown
Shan United FC roared back to the top of the Myanmar National League table with a ruthless 6-0 demolition of Rakhine United FC on 2 March at Thuwunna Stadium.The rescheduled Matchday 15 clash saw the reigning champions flex their full strength, delivering a statement victory to edge past title rivals Yangon United FC by a single point. Shan now sits on 49 points, one clear at the summit, with three matches separating them from history.After a tight first half led 1-0, Shan exploded after the break. Khun Kyaw Zin Hein, Bakayoko (brace), Sa Aung Pyae Ko and Thurein Tun joined Yuki Hirota on the scoresheet in a second-half masterclass that underlined their championship pedigree.Victory keeps Shan firmly on course for a record-extending seventh league title and a remarkable sixth consecutive crown. Even more impressively, their unbeaten league run now stretches to 97 matches. Avoid defeat in their final three fixtures, and the champions will raise both the trophy and a century of invincibility.With momentum surging and destiny in their own hands, Shan United stand on the brink of another golden chapter in Myanmar’s football history. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZLgnlm
Wed, 4-Mar-2026
Myanmar Nominates Traditional Tea Culture for UNESCO Heritage Listing
Myanmar Nominates Traditional Tea Culture for UNESCO Heritage Listing
Compiled from regions and states nationwide, Myanmar’s inventory of intangible cultural heritage comprises 2,289 items, including 104 related to language and oral traditions, 506 to performing arts, 651 to social customs and festivals, 199 to knowledge and practices concerning nature and society, and 829 to traditional crafts, all of which have been designated for the first time as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Register.The Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust, a conservation organization, has submitted documentation to seek the inscription of Myanmar’s green tea culture on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.Chairperson Daw Sandar Khin of the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust said that the collected information was submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the focal point, on 25 February. The ministry then examines it and submits it to the government office. When the government office agrees, it is submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs then sends it to the Myanmar Ambassador/Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris, France.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit the application to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) section through the Myanmar Embassy in Paris before 31 March 2026. Currently, Myanmar’s tea culture is being nominated for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In addition, the traditional Myanma Thanaka cultural practice was submitted to UNESCO in 2025, so a decision is likely to be made by the end of this year.The Traditional Myanma Ata Thingyan Festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the first time in 2024.The inventory of Myanmar’s intangible cultural heritage, compiled from each region and state, includes 104 items related to language, oral traditions, and expressions; 506 items related to performing arts; 651 items related to social customs and festivals; 199 items related to knowledge and practices concerning nature and society; and 829 items related to traditional crafts. In total, 2,289 items have been designated as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Register for the first time. — ASH/THgnlm
Wed, 4-Mar-2026
Indian-Rakhine historical links book launched, photo exhibition held in Yangon
Indian-Rakhine historical links book launched, photo exhibition held in Yangon
A ceremony to launch a book on the historical connections between India and Rakhine, accompanied by a photo exhibition, was held on the afternoon of 2 March at the Indian Cultural Centre, situated at the corner of Merchant Road and Shwebontha Road in Pabedan Township, Yangon Region.The event was attended by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Daw Nu Mra Zan, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Abhay Thakur, Chairman U Than Maung of the Rakhine Literature and Culture Association (Yangon), and its members. Also in attendance were representatives from the Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan literature and culture associations in Yangon, as well as representatives from Rakhine ethnic subgroups, including the Dainet, Thet, Mro, Khumi, Maramagyi, and Kaman peoples, alongside guests.To commence the proceedings, Deputy Minister Daw Nu Mra Zan, Ambassador Mr Abhay Thakur, former Myanmar Ambassador to Australia U Tha Aung Nyunt, Chairman U Than Maung, and Academy Award-winning Rakhine actor U Aung Lwin formally opened the photo exhibition by cutting a ceremonial ribbon. They then toured the gallery to view the displayed photographs.During the book launch segment, the deputy minister noted that the relationship between the Indian and Rakhine peoples spans several centuries. She highlighted that through historical commerce, not only did trade and coinage spread, but also philosophy, literature, art, and Buddhist teachings. She remarked that inscriptions, artworks, and customs found in ancient Rakhine cities such as Danyawady and Vesali serve as evidence of Indian cultural influence. Furthermore, the stone carvings and architectural designs in the Rakhine region stand as symbols of this long-standing exchange. She also expressed particular gratitude to the Indian government for the benefits to bilateral trade brought about by the opening of Sittway port.The Indian ambassador then spoke, stating that the exhibition and book launch, which highlight the historical ties between Rakhine and India, are immensely valuable as they allow for the study of literature, art, and ancient coinage. He added that, as India shares a long border with Myanmar, it remains a country capable of providing the swiftest assistance to its neighbour. Following this, the chairman of the Rakhine Literature and Culture Association (Yangon) gave an introductory speech regarding the newly launched book.Officials from the Rakhine Literature and Culture Association (Yangon) presented the Indian ambassador with a commemorative gift. Subsequently, Daw Nu Mra Zan (Honorary Patron of the association), the chairman, and the vice-chairman presented copies of the book, “India-Rakhine Historical Connections”, to the ambassador. — MNA/MKKSgnlm
Wed, 4-Mar-2026
Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients , Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients
Religious Ceremony: Conferring of religious titles to the recipients
A ceremony to confer religious titles for 2026 was held at Aggadipadhi Sasana Beikmandawgyi in Maravijaya Buddha Park of Nay Pyi Taw on Monday.The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Namotasa three times. The congregation led by Acting President Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife took Nine Precepts from the Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw of Thanlyin Minkyaung Monastery, who later delivered the Ovada Gadha. Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin then submitted the religious matters.The Acting President presented the title of Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru and insignia to the recipient Sayadaw from Thanlyin Min Kyaung Monastery. Vice Chairman of the Commission Vice-Senior General Soe Win also presented Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru title and insignia to the recipient Sayadaw from Maha Gandhayone Monastery of Sagaing.This was followed by conferring of religious titles  and insignias by the Prime Minister, Commission Secretary and the Joint Secretary, commission members, union level personnel, union ministers, senior military officers form the Commander-in-Chief Office and officials.Then, wife of the Acting President Daw Kyu Kyu Hla presented Agga Maha Gandhavacaka Pandita title and insignia to the recipient nun from Thamein Dawdhaya Nunnery of Sagaing. This was followed by presenting of Sasana Nuggaha titles, and the Acting President presented Agga Maha Thiri Thuddhama Mani Jotadhaya  title and Thiri Thuddhama Mani Jotadhaya title and insignias to the recipients.The Commission Vice Chairman later presented Thiri Thuddhama Mani Jotadhaya title and insignia to the recipient. Then, the Acting President's wife presented Agga Maha Thiri Thuddhama Theingi title and insignia to the recipients. Wife of the Commission Vice Chairman also presented Thiri Thuddhama Theingi title and insignias to the recipients.The congregation led by the Acting President and wife listened to the sermon delivered by the Masoeyein Thaik Thit Sayadaw of Mandalay and shared the merits gained. After the ceremony, the Acting President and wife, the Commission Vice Chairman and wife, and officials donated rice and offertories to the Sayadaws and the nun who received the religious titlesmitv
Tue, 3-Mar-2026
© Copyright 2024 SAC All Rights Reserved.