24 Dec

THE handicraft art of Pyu bead (Chin bead) in Phayagyi Village is one of the activities to see in Natogyi Township in Mandalay Region. The township is known for its ancient historical old town, Sakya mountain, the village of people who still have Myanmar traditional hairstyle known as sanyitwine, a topknot with a circular fringe and other interesting places and activities to see. 

Pyu beads (Chin beads), the detail work with natural dyes, are especially popular with young people and international tourist. They are made of Ingyin Kyaut (Petrified wood) and are meticulously made into beads and armbands. 

The beadwork was done by hand in the past, but in modern times, it has been mechanized. In order to make the beads, the Petrified woods are first ground by the machine. 

After wards, they are made into rounded shape by machine and drilled to make holes. Once the holes have been drilled, they are put in a steam pot to make the step-bystep colour coating. Then the beads can be painted. 

During the painting to the beads, a metal tweezer is used to hold the bead and put the natural paints made of mixed natron, neem syrup, borax and limestone. 

After the natural painting, various designs are made with black ink, a mixture of breast milk, sulfur, blue vitriol and yellow orpiment by toasting on a charcoal stove. 

At present, U Sein Kyi Lay and Daw Khin Mar Wai make the Pyu beads (Chin beads) all year round in Phayagyi village in the old town of Wadi in Natogyi Township. 

Each piece of Pyu bead, painted in the style of ancient Pyu beads, sells for 200 or 300 kyats depending on the quality of the stone, and a necklace with 100 Pyu beads costs 23,000 kyats. 

A good stone bead sells for 3,000 to 10,000 kyats. Depending on the quality of the stone and painting designs, there may be different prices for the beads. Small Pyu beaded bracelets are sold for 5,000 kyats each and resellers sell them at various prices.

U Soe Shwe(Myitnge) (Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)