Myanmar · Stone Carving / Sculpture
ကျောက်ဆစ် (Kyaukse)
Mandalay marble Buddha carving (ကျောက်ဆစ် kyaukse) is the sculptural tradition centered in the Sagyin and Kyaukse districts north of Mandalay — using white Sagyin marble to produce Buddha images in the Mandalay style: seated in meditation posture (samadhi mudra) with elongated features, flame-shaped ushnisha (cranial protuberance), and flowing robe folds rendered in the characteristic Mandalay manner. The Mandalay style was codified under King Mindon (r. 1853–1878) and represents the last major innovation in Burmese Buddha iconography. The procedural knowledge centers on iconometric proportion — the Burmese canonical proportion system (anein — measurement unit derived from the image's own face width) governs all dimensions of the figure — and the final surface refinement technique that produces the characteristic smooth, luminous Sagyin marble surface.
Risk level: Endangered · Myanmar national ICH list
Kayah (Karenni) backstrap weaving is the textile tradition of the Kayah people (ကယား) of Kayah State (formerly Karenni State) — one of Myanmar's smallest states and home to multiple culturally distinct Kayah sub-groups.
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