THE rows of toddy palm or toddy groves are a symbol of the beauty and tradition of the rural life of Anya (up-country).
The toddy palms are common in the central part of Myanmar, and can be seen in Aunglan, the entrance to Magway Region, along the Yangon-Mandalay Highway on the bank of the Ayeyawady River. As soon as one arrives in the Anya region, he or she can see the gloomy scene of the region, including the beauty of toddy groves and various actions of toddy palm climbers, and such views are picturesque for the photographers.
Palms have a lifespan of 150 to 200 years, with very slender two-foot diameter stems and their average height being 60 feet to 80 feet. It can reach heights six inches to one foot a year, and palms like dry season with 20-40 inches of rainfalls.
There are male palms and female palms. The male palms are medicinal, and they develop buds in Tazaungmone and Nattaw, afterwards, the palmate leaves grow out, like fingers. After beating and cutting these palmate leaves, the toddy sap can be received. The toddy sap is used to make jaggery. The female palm trees bear buds and fruits in Tabodwe and Tabaung, and the toddy sap can get after cutting or beating these fruits like the male ones. That toddy sap can be used to make jaggery.
All parts of palms are useful. The inner part is soft and the outer part is hard, so it can be used as a cross beam and a tie beam of barns of farmers. At this stage, they are used for cross beams, rafters, tie beams and furniture of houses. Moreover, the palm branches are used for boxes, chairs, bottles and huts, and leaves are used for leaving beads, fans and roofing the huts and houses. The middle parts of the leaves are for combs and strings.
The useful palms are common in Magway, Sagaing and Mandalay regions, and Yenangyaung, Chauk, Gwaycho, Kyaukpadaung, NyaungU and Yesagyo townships, and also in Bago Region, Yangon Region, Ayeyawady Region, Mon State, Kayin State and Shan State. Therefore, all should save toddy palms and groves as they depict the natural beauty of rural areas. — Zeyar Naing (Shwe Kan Myay)/KTZH
