Flowers are harbingers of springwhether in nature or in man. No matter what the reason or season is, flowers say it the best. They are the best way to express our feelings, show the beauty in nature and make our loved ones happy and cared for. No wonder every country has its own national flower that ties in with her heritage and culture. The moment you set foot into Myanmar, flowers seem to be in every nook and corner of the nation. They play a central part in a Burmese life. Every day, freshly cut flowers are offered to the Buddha at household and business shrines and in temples and pagodas. You will find women selling fresh cut Myanmar flowers at the street corners or flower vendors approaching cars at the traffic crossings.
If you happen to be in Myanmar during the month of April, you will see Padauk (Pterocarpus Macrocarpus) Myanmar’s national flower, blooming everywhere. The tree is prevalent throughout Myanmar. Padauk comesback to life after a dry season while other trees remain stubbornly dry and dusty. The tree heralds the beginning of first rain showers. Unfortunately, it is often mistaken with the Cassia fistula, which is the national flower of Thailand. Padauk in Sanskrit is called ‘Bigaka’ meaning success and in Pali –‘Patathalan’, meaning golden colour. Myamar people adore ‘padauk’ for its colour and sweet fragrance. In the inscriptions and writings of Bagan Period, Padauk is often mentioned as “Pyataung” or “Pyatauk”
During the festival of Thingyan –The Water Festival of Burmese New Yearthe flower seems ubiquitous all over the country. Myanmar people mark Thingyan in a variety of ways. But it is a festival to go around town and have fun. The water symbolizes the washing away of the previous year’s bad luck and sins. The festival is celebrated by releasing captive fish and birds as acts of merit. Special feasts are organizedfor monks.
Myanmar has a moderate climate and is also rich in different species of flowers which make flowers unbelievably cheap throughout Myanmar as compared to other neighbouring countries (most notably Thailand, China and Vietnam), where cut flowers are a big business and often a big revenue earner. The value of Thailand orchid exports has remained stable at 2.3 to 2.5 billion baht annually over the past five years. Thailand produces floricultural products on more than 14,500 hectares in total, of which 3,320 hectares are designated for the production of orchids only.
In Myanmar flowers are grown in the cooler hills and transported to the markets daily by trucks and bikes. More than 600 different species of orchids are found in Myanmar which reflects country’s varied topography and ideal climate for blooms. Affinities to the orchid flora of the Himalayas are found in the north of the country, while typical Malaysian elements occur in the southern part of Myanmar. Unfortunately, certain types of highly attractive orchids are the least known in tropical mainland Asia due to country’s long period of isolation.
Poets of yore have testified to the fondness of the Myanmar people for flowers since ancient times. Each state and region is famed for certain types of flowers. For instance, Since Chin State is located at an average elevation of between 1500 and 2700 meters it is famed for its rhododendrons, while Shan State is well known for its large variety of lilies and chrysanthemums. Mandalay region is well known for its sweet-scented tamar (Zadirachta indica) while Rakhine State in western Myanmar is renowned for its fragrant and delicate looking thazin (Bulbophyllum auricomum),Since yellow colour is considered auspicious in Buddhism and yellow is the colour of the robe of the monks, yellow asters, or yellow chrysanthemums, weeping goldsmith flowers (padeign gno in Burmese) a ginger flower, whose Burmese name was derived from the legend that the local goldsmiths were reduced to tears because none of their own creations could rival its exquisiteness, are more favoured as offerings in temples and shrines. No visit to the Union of Myanmar is complete without a visit to the 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda. Flower vendors selling their products to the devout and tourists that stock outside the dazzling golden pagoda is a sight to watch.
Frangipani or plumeria is yet another favourite of the people of Myanmar. Unlike in Bali, where the flower adorns almost every home and a woman’s hair, in Myanmar the yellow frangipani is most sought after for its fragrance and beauty. The flower is perfect for adding to a tropical themed garden. Many relaxation and spa centres are named after the flower to convey the sense of its sweet smell and therapeutic powers. Using the flower, many products are made such as, incense sticks, fragrant candles, perfumes, essential oils and mosquito repellants. Even flavoured frangipani tea is made with dried flowers, lately.
Myanmar floriculture sector is a small industry that faces many challenges.Flower vendors have good business on special days such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or special holidays. But regularly most flowers are distributed via flower markets in the main cities. These flower markets are not transparent as there is a straight chain of wholesalers, retailers and consumers and they are all in the same market place. “There is pressure on the margins as bigger volumes are wanted instead of quality” says a florist in Pyin Oo Lwin flower market. Pyin Oo Lwin, a resort town, is often called Pan Myo Daw or “The City of Flowers“. He further said, “Delicate character of the flowers is also affected due to inefficient distribution system. Suitable transport is missing. Many delicate flowers such as chrysanthemums and roses get stale after travelling long distances before reaching the consumption markets”. Effective irrigation, regular fertilization, and pest management are other challenges that Myanmar flower cultivators face in producing high quality and quantity flowers.
Despite the problems that flower vendors or florists face in producing or selling the lovely blooms, flowers continue to be sold as messengers of peace, condolence, love and sympathy. There are quite a few florists in Yangon who design the bouquets celebrating anniversaries, graduation ceremonies, and love and romance. “Flowers convey your feelings and emotions in a simple yet most effective way” says Thin Thin who sells beautiful flowers in a road side shop on Wah Dan Street in Yangon. “One can create a personal touch even when you are miles away” she adds.
