Keeping traditional bronze casting arts and crafts

Myanmar is a country with distinctive culture that has been greatly influenced by Buddhism. Historically, Buddhist and Hindu cosmology and mythologies served as the foundation for Burmese literature and art. There are ten traditional arts and crafts, called pan sèmyo, which are Blacksmith (ba-bè), Woodcarving (ba-bu), Goldsmith (ba-dein), Stucco relief (pan-daw), Masonry (pa-yan), Stone carving (pan-ta-maw), Turnery (pan but), Painting (ba-gyi), Lacquerware (pan-yun) and Bronze casting (ba-din).

Among sèmyo, Ms. Aye Aye Soe is a bronze casting (ba-din) producer in Myauk Kyoet Kone Village, Minhla, Bago Region. Bronze casting is the process of pouring molten bronze, which is a mixture of copper, tin, and other materials, into a mold to create a sculpture or object. The traditional coppersmith’s craft of Myanmar first emerged before the Bagan era, and it advanced during the Bagan and Ava eras. The majority of the Myanmar bronze casting crafts is Buddha images, bells, gongs, tri gongs, and other figures such as images of the “Nat” (spirit) and famous people.

Ms. Aye Aye Soe has 12 years of experience in bronze casting. She began her practice in 2017 in order to support her family and secure a better future for her children. She mainly makes bells, gongs, and Buddha chatra (umbrellas). Ms. Aye Aye Soe encountered numerous challenges since she started her business. It was the most difficult time when the dual crisis, the COVID pandemic and the political situation, first hit the country. Her customers at the time were struggling as well and did not order any handicrafts from her.

Her shop opens from 7am to 6pm. When there are many orders from clients, Ms. Aye Aye Soe and her team work until late night to meet the deadlines. They occasionally went for two or three days without sleep. It is because they have to wait for electricity to come back to complete their works. She became aware of ASGB in 2020 when some loan officers came to her shop and explained loan products. She applied a loan from ASGB and invested it in purchasing raw materials for bronze casting. Ms. Aye Aye Soe plans to market several other bronze-casting crafts in the future, including Buddha statues, Jade statues, and bronze statues.

Before receiving a loan from ASGB, she borrowed money from a private money lender but did not get the amount she was hoping for due to the high interest rate. She said to us “Thank you very much for supporting my business. I got the loan amount that I needed for my business and the interest rate is also affordable.”