Page 45 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

Culture and etiquette BASICS 43
CHINLONE Diving and watersports
Somewhere between sport and there’s very little diving compared to other
dancing, chinlone is one of Myanmar’s
most distinctive pastimes. a non- nearby countries. there are basic dive centres
competitive sport, chinlone is at ngapali (see box, p.116) and ngwe Saung
traditionally played by six or so people (see box, p.110), although serious divers head
standing in a circle and kicking a rattan to the spectacular Myeik archipelago in the far
ball between themselves. the basic aim south, where you can also arrange snorkelling,
of the game is to stop the ball from kayaking and sailing trips (see box, p.175). Some
touching the ground for as long as watersports, though nothing very sophisticated,
possible, although additional kudos is are available at ngapali and Chaung tha (see box,
attached to the skill and style with p.109), where you can also set up fishing trips,
which the ball is kept aloft – over 200 including deep-sea fishing.
types of kick are recognized using five
different parts of the foot, plus knees.
a popular, competitive variant of the Sport
game, akin to Malaysian sepak tawkraw Myanmar isn’t an especially sporty country.
(kick volleyball), is also often played,
with a net between opposing players/ Football is the most popular game and Premier
teams and rules similar to volleyball, league (and other european) games are widely
except that the ball is kicked rather broadcast. the country also boasts its own modest
than punched. professional league, the Myanmar national league
(Mnl), established in 2009 with eight teams repre-
senting individual regions. the two biggest are
the hill tribes around Kengtung (see box, p.272), Yangon united and Mandalay’s Yadanarbon FC,
and treks into the tea-swathed hills and villages of who between them have won every Mnl title since
northern Shan State from Kyaukme (see box, p.321) its inception. Other leading teams include Shan
and Hsipaw (see box, p.327). in the far north, united (formerly Kanbawza FC; based in taunggyi),
challenging treks up into the high Himalaya can be Zayar Shwe Myay (Monywa), ayeyawady united
arranged from Putao (see p.354), while the ascent of (Pathein) and naypyitaw FC.
Mount Victoria in Chin State (see box, p.136) offers a Golf is also modestly popular, although courses
real taste of Myanmar well off the beaten track. are relatively few. the best is probably the Gary
unlike trekking, Myanmar’s enormous potential for Player-designed Pun Hlaing Golf Club in Yangon,
rock-climbing and mountaineering remains and there are also courses at Mandalay, Bago,
almost totally untapped. the technical Climbing Bagan, ngapali, Pyin Oo lwin, Kalaw and
Club of Myanmar (find them on Facebook) is taunggyi.
attempting to develop rock-climbing in the country indigenous sports include lethwei, a Burmese
and establish bolted routes. martial art similar to thai kick boxing featuring
a mix of punching, kicking, head-butts and blows
Cycling with the elbows and knees. Fights are held regularly
around the country during pagoda festivals.
Cycling is another rewarding activity – much of the
country is predominantly flat, although potholed
roads and heavy traffic can prove challenging. Culture and
Biking around Bagan is one of Myanmar’s classic
experiences (see p.223), while the inle lake area etiquette
(see box, p.251) also offers some great riding oppor-
tunities, with a growing number of operators In common with the people of other
offering tours (sometimes combined with trekking). Southeast Asian Buddhist countries, the
Cycling also offers a convenient way of exploring Burmese are profoundly polite people,
Mandalay and its surroundings, so long as you don’t with a gentle, ceremonious culture and
mind the frequently heavy traffic. a few tour customs rooted in the country’s Buddhist
operators run multi-day bike tours and longer beliefs.
cross-country journeys if you don’t fancy going it Burmese manners and social interactions are
alone (see p.31). rooted in the notion of āna, a multifaceted

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