TODAY

The sixth month of Myanmar Lunar Calender “Tawthalin” corresponds to September. Heavy monsoon begins to subside though it still rains, the precipitations are only drizzles because storms are leaving the country. All aquatic bodies turn calm – so calm that Myanmar old saying goes “ေတာ္သလင္း၊ ျမစ္တြင္းသင္ျဖဴးခင္း” (In Tawthalin month, the surface of the river is like a smooth mat, spread out.) Ripples are caused by light breeze.

In such favourable environment and weather, Myanmar traditional festival of royal Regatta and boat races are held in this month annually.

Among a rich variety of many flora that beautify and permeate its fragrances this month, Yinmar flower is prominent as it is the designated flower of this month.
Botanically Yinmar is termed “Chukrasia Tabularis”. It has another spe-cies. Yinmar of both two species grow wild and well in dry and arid areas like Shwebo, Bagan, Sagaing, Inwa and Mandalay, as well as on highland of up to 3,000 feet, and hills like those around Mandalay and along the Mandalay- Pyin Oo Lwin car-road. Yinmar is a hard wood tree that grows straight up to the height of up to 110 feet. Its main trunk is round and can measure from 6 to 8 feet in circumference. In Katha and Myitkyina districts, Yinmar flourish profusely. Yinmar tree looks always graceful. Its leaves are like bird’s feathers and velvetily hairy. Though it discards its old leaves according to climatic changes, nevertheless it remains evergreen.

The bulk is rusty to blackish in colour and tastes slightly bitter. When scratched with a knife the trunk shows red colour.
Yinmar blooms in sprays. Small bunches come out between tender leaves and sprays of buds and blooms hung on tender branches. Light green or dark green petals emit soft fragrance. They are also velvetily hairy.

Early morning dews wettens and sweeten its nectar inviting all insects especially butterfly and black ants.

Bunches of Yinmar flowers are seen in vases and water pots at pagodas, temples and nat shrines as offering of Tawthalin month.
Yinmar is a hard wood tree. At the cutting its wood is light yellow. But on exposure to air and light, it changes to bright brown. Yinmar is a good wood for making household objects. It is a good wood for turnery. In the construction of houses Yinmar is used as bars and props. It is also used for interior decorative carvings. It can be cut into small pieces, so it is used in making huge wooden barrels.

During its blooming season, bunches with sprays of Yinmar flowers and buds are seen at sacred places.

Myanmar fairer genders are fond of decking their hair knots with sprays of Yinmar blooms. Depending upon the choiffeur’s design, Yinmar flowers are arranged to match and to suit the occasions.

In the countryside, rustic swains would climb up Yinmar tree to pluck Yinmar sprays as many as possible for sale at early morning bazaar, to offer at nearly shrine and to present to his girl friend to gain her favour.

There is a town named “Yinmapin Myo.” (Yinmar Tree Town) 16 miles to the west of Monywa Town. There, not only Yinmar tree but also other dry zone hardy trees like neem, tamarind, accasia (htanaung) flourish.

Sithhu Dr Khin Maung Nyunt