Hsu/Saw (NP News) - November 4
Myanmar’s traditional Thanaka culture could achieve inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, according to Daw Sandar Khin, chairperson of the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust (MCHT), during an interview with The Statesman."
Myanmar originally submitted its nomination for Thanaka culture to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020. Following feedback from UNESCO regarding necessary revisions, a revised nomination was formally resubmitted in March 2025.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is scheduled to deliberate on the nomination during its 21st session in early December in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. Additionally, UNESCO may announce its preliminary list in the first week of November.
“They raised a question about whether Thanaka trees could become extinct or whether forests would be depleted if people continued using Thanaka in this way. We explained that it would not lead to deforestation. Whenever a Thanaka tree is cut down, three to five new shoots can grow from its stump, which means the trees could become even more abundant. An original Thanaka tree takes about seven years to reach a stage suitable for use on the skin. However, Thanaka that regrows after a tree has been cut can be used for cosmetic purposes when it is around five years old. Therefore, this practice is sustainable; it does not damage the surrounding ecosystem or degrade the soil. People from all walks of life and of different age groups use Thanaka. Moreover, we have highlighted that Thanaka is not merely a cosmetic product. It is also used in offerings to the Buddha, and there are traditional festivals associated with Thanaka, each observed in its own way. Taking all these aspects into account, we believe there is a good chance of securing inscription,” she said.
She noted that Myanmar’s Thanaka culture fulfills the criteria established by UNESCO for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“There is absolutely no reason why it should not be accepted. It fully meets UNESCO’s criteria and is a distinctive cultural heritage that exists uniquely in our country,” she continued.
Thanaka use in Myanmar dates back at least to the Bagan era, supported by mural paintings at Nagayon and Gubyaukgyi temples and surviving fragments of a stone grinding slab from the period.
While Thanaka was traditionally prepared by grinding raw wood against a stone slab, ready-to-use powders and modern cosmetic formulations have gained widespread popularity in recent years.
Thanaka is also used in traditional medicine, highlighting its health benefits alongside its cosmetic uses.
“As domestic production of Thanaka increases and we become able to distribute it internationally, farmers who grow Thanaka, those working in the Thanaka industry, and producers of related products will all benefit. I believe this will create more employment opportunities and improve livelihoods, particularly for people in lower-income communities,” she added.
Myanmar’s traditional Thingyan Water Festival earned UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2024. –
