Abstract

• Kyaukka village lies ten miles on the north of Monywa Township in Sagaing Region. It is divided into Kyaukka South and Kyaukka North villages. The former produce rough lacquerwares and the latter produce finished goods. The lacquerware industry, Kyaukka Shweguni Sutaungpyay Pagoda and Htantaloke water fall attracted not only domestic pilgrims and holiday makers but also foreign tourists. Kyaukka village gradually become one of the famous in Upper Myanmar. Like the people living all over the world, the people of Myanmar posses rich cultural heritages and unique arts and crafts. Myanmar kings were accustomed to give lacquerwares to the foreign diplomats. Kyaukka lacquerware is well known for its durability and simplicity in design. It seems that the village initially produced articles for religious use and later produced different kinds of articles for domestic use. The most essential raw material for lacquer industry is bamboo. About 220 species of bamboo are growing in Myanmar. Of these species, Tin wa and Me-tin-kha-wa-the bamboo growing Homelin area are most suitable ones for making coil and basketry in lacquer industry of Kyaukka. Present day Kyaukka lacquerware industry use only Me-tin-kha. The lacquerware workshops of the village produce over 500 objects of lacquerware. The art of creating lacquer and lacquerware was handed down from generation to generation.