When you first arrive in Myanmar, you'll be captivated by a special phenomenon on the streets: Burmese women and children, as well as a small number of men, are coated with yellow powder on both sides of their cheeks, with a clear fragrance. This is a special cosmetic unique to Myanmar, its name is Thanakha (Thanakha), and its scientific name is yellow neem powder.
Children who smear Tenaka
Tenaka powder is made of the trunk of the branches of the yellow neem, the tool for grinding the trunk of the branch is a round small stone mill, the size is large, medium and small, the Burmese call it "Kyaukpyin", pour a little water on the "kyaukpyin", pour a little water on the "knit", and then grind the trunk of the yellow neem until the pulp is discharged, the yellow slurry will dry out after a short period of time, so it should be applied as soon as possible after the pulp.
Kyaukpyin
The smell of Tenaka is fragrant and refreshing. Its long history of use has made it the most familiar and indispensable part of every Myanmar's life. When applying Tenaka powder, Burmese women and children are careful to outline various patterns, including round, fan-shaped, square, leaf-like, cartoon images, etc. Imagine a lifelike yellow leaf, covered in a vivid face, or a cute cartoon image, jumping on a vibrant face, isn't this the art of living closest to nature?
Leaf-shaped Tenaka
So why do the people of Myanmar love Tenaka so much? Because Tenaka bark is highly resistant to oxidation and absorbs ultraviolet rays, and contains vitamin E, it effectively protects our skin. It can also protect against sunscreen, mosquito bites, prevent greasy spots from acne, can effectively remove body odor, and at the same time has a cold feeling, which is undoubtedly to bring a touch of freshness to people in the tropics! Who wouldn't love such a comprehensive all-natural cosmetic?
Tenaka trunk (neem trunk)
Tenaka has been in use for more than two thousand years, and the Burmese royal court has been in use since the 11th century, and the earliest documents can be traced back to the poem written by the wife of King Raabori, the king of Dian in the 14th century, and the reference to Tenaka was mentioned. With the development and change of society, the use of Tenaka has also emerged a new pattern, there are many cosmetics brands on the market to launch canned, boxed Tenaka powder, there are also skin care products with Tenaka ingredients. Some women living in big cities like Yangon and Mandalay choose to use the new Tenaka skincare products, while women in other cities are used to using Tenaka in the traditional way. Either way, it tells us that Tenaka has an irreplaceable position in the minds of the Burmese people!
A woman in Myanmar used Tenaka a hundred years ago