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MYANMAR BETEL
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The habit of
chewing betel is ingrained in many Myanmar's
however diverse
their ethnic background may be. Betel is
chewed and the resulting red juice
expectorated along with the remaining pulpy
mass. Although no part of the original
quid is consciously swallowed, the
expression “kun sar thi” which literally
translates as eating betel, lends emphasis
to the fervor and habitual nature with which
betel is used. These betel sellers (below)
with their portable stalls conduct business
in the precincts of the Botataung Pagoda.
Cheroots (middle) and cigarettes — local and
imported — are also among their wares.
Betel is the fresh leaf of a vine
belonging to the botanical family piperaceae
and is cultivated in India, Myanmar, the
Malaysian Peninsular, Indo-China and
Indonesia. A quid is the
triangular-shaped, leaf-wrapped form
containing the required ingredients ready
for consumption. It is prepared by thinly
smearing a fresh betel leaf with slaked
lime, adding thin slices of betel nut and
some cutch, then folding the leaf so that
the ingredients are wrapped and enclosed.
For a tastier and more elaborate chew,
condiments like cinnamon, cardamom, cumin
seeds, fennel seeds, camphor, cloves,
licorice and dried coconut may be added in
small quantities. Such delicious concoctions
are indeed fit for the connoisseur. |
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It is believed that
the betel chewing habit originated very long ago
in India as it was mentioned in the discourses
of Lord Buddha. The eminent 13th Century
traveler Marco
 Polo
mentioned in his diaries that Indians were in
the habit of consuming betel. It is apparent
that the habit already existed in Myanmar before
the Bagan period (1057-1287). In 1147 Queen Saw
inscribed a stone tablet dedicated to the
Kunmi Pagoda,
decreeing that paddy she donated be used as
payment for betel nuts for monks in a monastery.
Other inscriptions also provide concrete
evidence that both clergy and laity consumed
betel in this period. During the monarchy it
played an important role in administration
matters, especially in connection with court
rulings. Litigants gathered to consume betel
together to show their satisfaction with the
ruling and absence of animosity.
Rank, status and office of individuals could be
distinguished by the right and privilege of
using betel and related paraphernalia. It is
widely claimed that betel chewing sweetens the
breath and this is undeniable true, but dental
health can be adversely affected.
The Myanmar pharmacology prescribes betel leaf
for the treatment of phlegm, wind, fever,
defective vision, gall and bladder ailments.
 The
case against betel chewing arises from the
staining of roads, pavements, floors and walls
of public buildings, offices, residents, parks
and gardens. Betel habitués are wont to
indiscriminately spit the scarlet streams of
juice and there is a dearth of sand boxes and
spittoons to catch the ejected juice. Notices
have appeared in certain places warning of fines
of 500 kyats for offenders. Newspaper articles
stress the need to desist from such behavior
detrimental to the state‘s efforts to beautify
the capital and the country.
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