Although court culture has been extinguished, popular street-level culture is vibrant and thriving. Drama is the mainstay of this culture, and just about any celebration is a good excuse for a pwe (show). Performances may recount Buddhist legends, or be more light-hearted entertainments involving slapstick comedy, dance, ensemble singing or giant puppets.

Myanmar music is an integral part of a pwe; it originates from Thai and emphasises rhythm and melody. Instruments are predominantly percussive and include drums, boat-shaped harps, gongs and bamboo flutes.

Over 85% of the Myanmar population is Theravada Buddhist. In the Rakhine region, towards Bangladesh, there are many Muslims. Christian missionaries have had some success among hill tribes but many remain staunch animists.The toys of Myanmar are not only for the children but also famous in the world, known as the Marionettes (or) Puppets of Myanmar. Its a combination of Myanmar Art and Culture, together to show the inner expressions of the Myanmar people. Myanmar also have festivals all around the year, at least one in each month of the year. The most famous festival of Myanmar is the Thingyan Water Festival, which is held from 13 April to 16 April every year.

Language

Myanmar (Burmese) is the country's official language, though English is spoken in large towns and by elderly folk. There are also many languages and dialects among the 135 different national races.

The modern alphabet consists of 33 letters (consonants) and 12 basic vowels (sequential extensions result in 21 vowels) which are combined with various symbols (4 in basic, 11 in total consonant combination symbols) to indicate the tones.

Myanmar Museums

National Museum

A museum is a repository where the heritage of ancient civilizations are put on exhibit for the benefit of people living in the present. It is an archive of man's past achievements.

Bagan Archaeological Museum

The Bagan Archaeological Museum is located in north of Bagan, in the Old Bagan region. A museum was built in the northern part of Bagan, by U Sein Kho, who was the stone tablets specialist from the Myanmar stones tablets department.

Mrauk U Museum

A new Mrauk U museum is located near the palace site. It displays some old artefacts of Vesali, Launggret and Mrauk U periods. The bronze Buddha icons of Rakhine are equistic in design.