Mawlamyine, MYANMAR – When I disclose that I’m from Mawlamyine to the new people from distant corners of Myanmar, their eager response often echoes, “Ah, will you grace me with the delicious durians if we become closer?”
Such inquiries paint a picture of Mawlamyine’s renown as a haven for nature’s bounty, where the tropical fruits durians, mangosteens, and rambutans flourish in abundance, tantalizing the senses with their fragrant allure – a symphony of flavors I love to indulge in.
Despite its status as the fourth-largest city in Myanmar, Mawlamyine carries itself with a quiet dignity. Here, traffic jams are as rare as the chance to grasp a lottery win – a rarity in the frantic pace of modern life, I would say.
In history, Mawlamyine wears the ancient Mon moniker, Moulmein, meaning “damaged eye,” a name steeped in legend. Tales speak of a Mon king blessed with a mystical third eye, until a princess from a neighboring kingdom, who was offered in a political marriage, shattered it.
She was the girl boss of that era, I must admit.
After the first Anglo-Burma War, Mawlamyine became the first capital of British Burma between 1826 and 1852, a pivotal chapter in its storied past. It was during this colonial era that the nation’s very first newspaper, The Maulmain Chronicle, inked its words, etching Mawlamyine into its journalistic history.
Mawlamyine also stands as the birthplace of Myanmar’s public education system, boasting the esteemed No. 1 Basic Education High School. Since its establishment in 1835, the school has served as a beacon of enlightenment, educating generations of scholars across its illustrious 189-year tenure.
Among my friends, there’s a recurring joke about welcoming visitors to Mawlamyine. All we’ve got to do is plop down on Strand Road and spend the day watching the Thanlwin River flow by, because there are so few things to do in the city. So much so that the only supermarket in our city has become the most popular hangout spot for the people.
Still, out of the cherished haunts of my beloved city, Strand Road and Mountain Road hold a special allure.
Strand Road has this vibrant and animated charm where you can feel the cool breeze from the waves and treat yourself to delicious food sold at the food stalls.
Conversely, Mountain Road is a rather tranquil place with green scenery and golden pagodas. Here, I can just let my thoughts wander as I take in the city stretching out below – a mosaic of bustling streets and hidden nooks, each holding a piece of the puzzle of my memories.
I used to take long evening walks along the Mountain Road in early 2021 before the military coup, which is a time in my life that I miss a lot, thinking back now.
In the flow of life, Mawlamyine has been my steadfast anchor.
With its timeless charm and warm embrace, Mawlamyine remains not just a place on the map, but a cherished haven – a home for the soul, where I can find the most genuine version of myself.
Yunn Chaw Nadi is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
