Because Myanmar (formally called Burma), abuts southern China, it is easy to imagine that one is an extension of the other. But, nineteen thousand foot high mountains divide the two countries, creating by necessity distinct cultures. In Myanmar, although primarily a Buddhist country, there is also a vibrant under-culture of animism, identified by “nat shrines” dedicated to the spirits of local heroes, who have attained a state in which they can answer prayers. Myanmar is a place in which the religion(s) and the society in general are completely intertwined. The puppet theater weaves together the profoundly religious aspects of the Burmese people with their love of storytelling. It is the value carrier of cultural myth, which is also the screen behind which they can safely voice political criticism. The images in Myanmar Tapestry are drawn from aspects of this complex society.
