It is sure that everyone knows eight main national races (NR) of Myan- mar country: Kachin, Kayah, Kayin,
Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan, who spread out the human-shaped Myanmar’s map. Kachin stands on the head, Kayah and Kayin live in the area of stomach, Chin on the back, Mon on the leg, Rakhine on the waist and Shan is hand. They have their own separate areas although Bamar (native) and some national races stretch out on the map. Believe it or not you can reach KYAIK HTEE YOE PAGODA, INNLAY LAKE, REED LAKE, MT. KHAKABORAZI, and MT. ZWEGAPIN from Mon, Shan, Chin, Kachin and Kayin State respectively within four or five hours personally, not from the Internet. Additionally, you can also study the culture of all national races. It is a destination called “National Races Village” (NRV) which is a combination of eight national races vil- lages.Each village exhibits a collections of samples of its houses, utensils, clothes, fa- mous symbols, etc. It is the only one NRV in Myanmar which is established on 28th December 2002 in Yangon under the minis- try of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs. NRV is sat- urated in Tharketa township (near Thanlyin bridge) and takes around 30 mins by bus and 20 mins by taxi from Botahtaung town- ship (downtown).
To reach in the village, you have to pass two gates: Main Gate and Grand Gate. In 1st main gate, you have to pay entrance fees:3000 kyats (around 3US$) for foreigner, 500 kyats for camera and 200 kyats extra if you bring your own bicycle. After the Main gate, you will meet Map of the whole village and should take a picture of it first. Before 2nd grand gate, you have to decide that how to go around the village: by foot, bike or bug- gy. There is a bike renting place between two gates and it costs 500 kyats per hour; you also have to pay 1000 kyats per bike as deposit. You can take a buggy costing 500 kyats per person and 9000 kyats for the whole buggy. Most of the locals, especially youths, choose “bike” as the whole compound is too big to walk. Buggy stops only 5 mins per house; the whole buggy tour takes about an hour. Most Foreigners walk around as they can observe without hurrying and worrying.
After making that decision, you can pass through the 2nd grade gate. At once you are in the village, you will see Nanmyint Tower which is constructed on 4th January 2004. To enjoy upper view at the top of the tow- er, you have to step 109 rungs of twisted stairs. On ground floor, there is a museum where one can study how each village was constructed, Utensils are shown in each cupboard. Mannequins of each race wearing full costume were also on display.
On the right side of the grand gate before Nan- myint tower, there is a National Hall where visitors are entertained by folk dance of each NR every Sunday at 2-3pm. I noted that the dances ar performed by actual ethnic groups.
In each village, there are a traditional house which is full with utensils, a souvenir shop and one or two man-made famous symbols. In each traditional house, one can attempt wearing its traditional dress too. The following are some excerpts of each village.
- Kachin Village : In front of Kachin traditional house, there is one of the famous symbols, Manaw post. Man-made MT KHAKABORAZI is existed beside the house. Kachin men wear shirts, traditional jackets, sarong-like longyis or slacks. Most of the visitors shoot photos of them with Kachin traditional dress in front of Manaw post. Some Kachin tradi- tional utensils are Yawon-Hat, Tarkin Horn, sword, cross bow, bamboo handle basket.
- Kayah Village : Beside a traditional house, Taung Gwe Pagoda is situat- ed. Kayah men wear white headdresses and shirts with traditional jack- ets and trousers just past the knees. Some Kayah traditional utensils are pestle, brewery pot, brewery cup, bamboo sheet tray, rim, cotton puffer and boun (myanmar drum).
- Kayin Village : In front of a house, there is Kayin sign, Hpa Si ( ceremo- nial bronze drum) and MT. ZWEGAPIN beside of the house. Kayin men wear their headdresses with tassels hanging loose on the right side of the head. Some Kayin traditional utensils are Kayin Guitar, Kayin harp, buffalo horn, sling basket and bamboo sheet tray.
- Chin Village : Beside a traditional house, the famous Reed lake with attached water fall can also be seen. Chin men usually wear shirts and trousers but wrap themselves with colorful blankets on special occa- sions. Some Chin traditional utensils are mathon’s horn, sword and bag, pestle and brewery pot.
- Mon State : Famous KYAIK HTEE YOE PAGODA lies beside a tradi- tional house. Mon men wear red checkered longyis, shirts without colors and traditional jackets. Some Mon traditional utensils are basket (use in plucking Durian), knife (use in cutting rubber juice), crocodile instru- ment and transplant (paddy thorn).
- Bamar Village : Huge Mingun Bell is situated beside Bamar house. In front of Bamar house, there is a dug well. Bamar men dress in longy- is, shirts without colors and traditional jackets. Some Bamar traditional utensils are xylophone, lacquer box, traditional swords, harp and alche- mist (Yogi).
- Rakhine Village : Beside Rakhine house, Rakhine famous pagoda Htoke Khan Thein is constructed. Rakhine men wear delicately woven longyis, shirts without colors and traditional jackets. Some Rakhine traditional utensils are crocodile harp and different sizes of cymbals.
- Shan Village : Famous Innlay lake is located beside a traditional house. Shan men dress in shorts and traditional khaki jackets. Some Shan tra- ditional utensils are three string Shan-harp, Shan sling basket, water-jar and lacquer box (to offer monks).