From the moment I first set foot in this magical land, I fell under its spell. I found it to be one of the most enthralling countries I have had the privilege to explore — truly a photographer’s paradise.
David Heath
Resplendent ancient temples and golden pagodas, devout nuns and monks, tranquil lakes and rivers, ornamented hillside tribes, colorful markets — this is the essence of Burma. As an adventurous world traveler and photographer, I was in search of the most sublime, pristine cultures on the planet, which led me to this intriguing country.
From the moment I first set foot in this magical land, I fell under its spell.
I found it to be one of the most enthralling countries I have had the privilege to explore — truly a photographer’s paradise. I aspired to capture the soul of the beautiful Burmese people, their mystical cultures and mysterious customs, in the most artistic way possible.
In this story you can explore some of my favorite photographs and moments drawn from my 248-page book ‘Burma: An Enchanted Spirit’.
The spectacular visage of the Shwedagon Pagoda and its 60 tons of gold, capped with a 76 carat diamond, took my breath away. From a hot air balloon, I was astounded by the stunning view of Bagan’s more than 2,200 temples and stupas peering through the many layers of mist.
The site is quite extraordinary; the surrounding land is very dry and flat, with farmer’s smoke and mist billowing over rice, bean, and sesame fields as far as the eye can see.
ABOVE — This shot was taken on top of a temple during a sunset overlooking the Ananda and Thabanyu Buddhist temples in Bagan. There are over 2,000 temples and pagodas here. This location is in a rural farming area in the middle of Burma and many of these structures are about 1,000 years old.
The Intha fishermen on Inle Lake reminded me of a choreographed ballet, deftly balancing as they rowed their boats by wrapping one leg around an oar, leaving both hands free to cast their nets. With its teak pillars projecting into the vibrant red orange sky, sunrise and sunset at the U Bein Bridge on Taung Tha Man Lake seemed surreal.
ABOVE — Fisherman making their way out onto the water, taken at sunrise from the shores of Taung Tha Man Lake, Amarapura in Mandalay.
ABOVE — One morning I was crossing the famous teakwood bridge in Mandalay called U Bein and saw a woman fishing on Taung Tha Man Lake. A beautiful sunrise created a mirror-like reflection on the water, and the woman appear to be walking on clouds.
I discovered that there is so much more to Burma than the visitor’s typical circuit. I engaged with many of the 135 tribes and found each one to have its own characteristic rituals, language and dress. I climbed rugged trails through the dense green forests of the Shan State to reach the village of the Akha, where farmers tended their rice fields.
ABOVE — Onion Farmer on the Chindwin River.
I saw the Sea Gypsies in the Andaman Sea flying in the air to spear their daily meal of fish and the colorful onion farmers on the Chindwin River who looked like an impressionistic painting in the rural landscape.
ABOVE — The Moken, or Sea Gypsies, are one of 135 distinct ethnic tribes in Burma. They are a nomadic, seafaring tribe whose traditional ways of life are in danger due to ever-increasing exposure to the Western world. I was on a boat in the Andaman Sea watching the men spear their daily meal of fish.
I learned that the Chin tribe tattoo their faces as it is believed this will disfigure their beauty and prevent them from being kidnapped, while the Naga warriors decorate themselves with powerful headgear to express their fierceness. One could spend a lifetime seeking out the various tribes and photographing their decorated bodies.
ABOVE — Chin Grandma in Kayakhto Village in the mountains of the Chin State.
There were also innumerable visits to distant temples and monasteries filled with beautifully sculpted statues. I heard the pink-robed nuns chanting as if angels were singing and contributed to the monks during their daily processional to collect donations and offerings. I rode on the rickety trains, which was always a daunting task.
ABOVE — Nuns lining up for their daily meal in a Yangon nunnery.
ABOVE — A girl selling watermelon on a moving train (built in the 1950’s) that circles the entire city of Yangon. All of these trains are currently being replaced.
I explored a 500 million-year-old cave in the far eastern Kayin State, which felt like a Jules Verne journey to the center of the earth. Each venture was a memorable experience, both culturally and spiritually.
ABOVE — A monk praying to a figure of Prince Siddhartha during austerity stage in a 500 million year old cave.
Burma harkens back to a bygone era.
Although it has been isolated and untouched for many years, the Burmese people still experience the joy of “being” and are not yet caught up in the material trappings of the modern world.
They are generous, compassionate, humorous and resilient. I’ve been to this country many times, but feel I have just scratched the surface in discovering its tantalizing treasures and myriad of peoples. It weaves its way into your soul and touches your heart upon each visit.
ABOVE — A personal favorite of mine captured in a monastery in Bagan. These young monks are quick to laugh, very curious, and truly enjoyable to be around. I try to donate to the monasteries I visit because I want to give thanks to them for allowing me to take such wonderful, intimate photographs.
I discovered a country, its people and their customs, so intoxicatingly genuine. Burma is one of the few countries in the world which still faithfully retains its national dress, consisting of colorful longyis (an ankle-length, wrap-around sarong) made from gorgeous woven textiles, worn by both men and women.
Smoke can be seen wafting in and out of bamboo huts as women with unusual head wraps puff on cheroot (a large corn leaf filled with tobacco, tamarind, honey and palm leaf bud), while chatting about their daily lives. Betel nut chewing is a widely popular habit of the locals, as evidenced by their red-stained teeth.
ABOVE — Bagan farm girl on Ayeyarwaddy River.
ABOVE — Kyauk Ka Lat Lake in Hpa-An, Kayin State, rowing toward a monastery.
Burma is a phenomenon all its own. There are so many historical sites and fascinating places of interest that they are too numerous to mention. It is my hope that these photographs will inspire you and help you to develop an appreciation for this wonderful country.
Whether you immerse yourself in its thousand year old temples, are riveted by the omnipresent monks gracefully gliding in and out of the monasteries and markets or are delighted by the smiling faces of women and children and their thanaka-brushed faces, you will truly find yourself mesmerized by the marvels of Burma.
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Traveling by canoe, plane, boat, train, on foot and hitching a ride on the occasional dump truck, I have spent months exploring this remarkable country. Discover more in my book, ‘Burma: An Enchanted Spirit’.
