Many tourists, coming to Myanmar, visit Inlay region in Southern Shan State since they love to enjoy the striking scenic beauty of our country. They usually pay a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Shwe Indein Pagoda, Alodaw Pauk Pagoda in Nant Pan Village and Taung Toe Mway Daw Pagoda, which are the prominent ones in Inlay region.

At the floating market and stairways of the pagodas, tourists buy local made cotton and silk clothes, and bags as a token of its symbol. They also buy palm-leaf inscriptions and parabaiks, writing tablets made of paper as souvenirs.

Palm leaves come from palm trees which are called “Coryphaelata Umbraculifera” in botanical terms. These leave are rectified to be written. Those written on these leaves are called palm-leaf inscriptions. Palm leaves are light-coloured, thin and soft in their nature. So they can be rolled. What’s more, they are so resistant to worms that they are used for writing.

Sharp iron sticks are used to write on the surface of palm leaves. These iron sticks are called styluses. Though sharp iron sticks are used, only the surface layer is penetrated. So, both the back and the obverse of a palm-leaf can be used for writing. It is known that inscriptions on palm leaves last for over 200 years.

In Inlay region, you can also observe not only palm-leaf inscription but also interesting postcards in which the pictures of the Buddha’s eight glorious victories, life of Buddha, houses of the zodiac and Ramayana Drama are skillfully drawn.

Teak is traditionally used for the cover of the bundle of palm-leaf writings. The teak cover is usually gilded, and floral designs are also drawn in red paint.

Parabaik is a long sheet of paper, 18 inches in length and 9 inches in width, and folded in right and left alternately.

To make a parabaik, paper sheets are glued and folded to get firm. After that, sketch what you want to draw on it. After giving the finishing touches and painting it, eventually, you will obtain a parabaik.

The covers of parabaiks are made with various kinds of innovative ways, according to their contents. Like the covers of palm-leaf inscriptions, that of parabaiks are gilded, and floral designs are also drawn on them.

So, through this programme, I hope you can observe the traditional way of making palm-leaf inscriptions and parabaiks as a cottage industry in Inlay region.