On the eve of the Buddha’s conception, Queen Maya dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb. Now, Myanmar possesses eight of these sacred animals and there are believed to be ten in Thailand. The below photographs are from Naypyidaw and Yangon. You can read about sacred white elephants and the monarchical trappings of Myanmar’s political elite in the Southeast Asia Globe and the Toronto Star.
“In his young days [the white elephant] was suckled by women, who stood in a long row outside his palace… Every day he is bathed with scented sandal water, and all his vessels and utensils are made of gold. Troupes of the palace coryphées dance for his pleasure, and there are choruses of sweet-voiced singers to lull him to sleep.”
James George Scott
The Burman: His Life and Notions
1882
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“IN THE ABODE OF KINGS”
Southeast Asia Globe
July 2013
STORY & BOXES
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“BURMA’S GOOD LUCK CHARM”
Toronto Star
June 29, 2013
WEB or PDF
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“BURMA’S WHITE ELEPHANTS”
Polish Radio 3
July 17, 2013
WEB or MP3
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Exhaust and Incense 