Category: Culture

Longyi a Myanmar Tradition

7/3/2016

Story by Tin Ko Lwin "Adam"

I first became familiar with longyi when I was in school. In Myanmar one of our school rules was to wear the longyi as part of our student uniform. I used to wear it everyday until I passed 10th standard, 11 grade. Before then, my mom would dress me in in longyi for special ceremonies.

Longyi are so useful. After I was take a bath or a swim I use it as personal changing room. And I always bring my longyi for whatever might come up wherever I go travel. It can be used like I said as a personal changing room, to protect from mosquito bites, as a blanket as well, as a pillow or pillowcase. There are too many to list. In Myanmar culture there are two names for longyi. One is pasoe, for men's longyi and htameain for women's' longyi. Everyday, I usually wear shorts and trousers when I go out, but at home I wear longyi to be comfortable.

For pooping longyi is the way to go!

A funny story, one day, I was shopping at the thrift market with my friends. We walked through the narrow passages between the stalls to find good stuff. When it was about time to go back home, I wanted to poop so bad. I couldn't stand it. I took heavy breaths to hold my shit until I could get to my home. When I got back to my place, I didn't go straight to the toilet. I changed my longyi first because longyi is just more comfortable when you have to crouch for a bit. For pooping longyi is the way to go!

Nowadays as before longyi can be found everywhere in Myanmar. We have so many kinds and patterns of longyi depending on the regions. My favourite are from Kachin state and Chin State. The ones from Longyi Brothers have nice patterns. They made them to be more modern and their thicker ones are more comfortable for colder places. Some can be flipped inside out so you get a new look. They got thick and light versions. I prefer light longyi to the thick ones because I'm from hot and dry place, the South East Asian country of Myanmar.

Tin Ko Lwin is a knowledigable licenced guide in Myanmar and foodie. He has appeared in Longyi Brothers pictures and video. You can contact him about guide services through his email. You can find him on instagram @AdamTynkey

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Classic Style, Ubonratchathani

20/2/2016

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Story by กษิเดช พงศ์อภิกุล Mark Kshidej

You can still spot people wearing sarongs in Ubon, especially during local festivals.

Ubonratchathani is one of the most historical cities in Thailand where people have preserved their culture very well. This old capital is located in Isan, Northeastern Thailand, along the Mekong river.
Though the traditional garment, sarong (Longyi), is not as common as new western clothes. You can still spot people wearing sarongs in Ubon, especially during local festivals.

The original Isan sarong is made of plaid fabric. You can also see people wear other types of sarong which are new-fashioned.
I got this "Lotus" sarong from Longyi Brothers just few weeks before my latest visit to Ubon and I found out that it was very suitable to my modern shirt and it was very comfortable to wear indeed.
I would like to persuade you guys to use "longyi" in your daily life and I'm so sure that you will love its' limitless functions.

อุบลราชธานี ราชธานีริมฝั่งโขงแห่งอีสานใต้ ที่เปี่ยมไปด้วยประวัติศาสตร์อันยาวนานและวัฒนธรรมอันงดงามทีชาวอุบลร่วมกันรักษาเอาไว้อย่างดี
รวมถึงวัฒนธรรมการนุ่งโสร่ง ที่แม้ว่าจะเป็นภาพที่หาดูได้ยาก แต่เรายังคงเห็นผู้คนที่นี่นุ่งโสร่งกันตามโอกาส โดยเฉพาะในช่วงเทศกาล
โสร่งเป็นเครื่องแต่งกายท้องถิ่นของชายอีสาน แต่เดิมทำมาจากผ้าตาหมากรุก อย่างไรก็ตาม ทุกวันนี้เราสามารถเห็นโสร่งลวดลายต่างๆที่นำมาประยุกต์ใช้ตามยุคสมัย
ผมได้ผ้าโสร่งลายดอกบัวนี้จาก Longyi Brothers เพียงไม่กี่สัปดาห์ก่อนที่จะไปอุบลครั้งล่าสุด และผมก็ประทับใจมาก นอกจากความสวยงามเข้ากับเสื้อที่ใส่แล้ว ยังมีความเบาสบาย ไม่อึดอัด
ผมขอเชิญชวนให้เพืื่อนๆได้ลองใช้โสร่งในชีวิตประจำวันดูกันนะครับ เชือว่าทุกคนจะติดใจกับความสารพัดประโยชน์ที่มีมากกว่าการนุ่งห่ม Longyi Brothers

Location : บ้านคำปุน, อุบลราชธานี Baan Kam Pun, Ubonratchathani
Special thank to P'Tao Meechai Taesujariya for shooting these wonderful photos and for the location.

กษิเดช พงศ์อภิกุล Mark Kshidej is a medical doctor from Bangkok. He is an avid traveller and a connoisseur of culture and history. You can follow his travels on his instagram.

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Longyi a Myanmar Tradition

Classic Style, Ubonratchathani

Longyi Brotherhood

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