Myoma Amateur Music Association
The Myoma troupe in 1958
Background information
Also known asMyoma band
Myoma troupe
OriginMandalay, British Burma (now Myanmar)
GenresTraditional Burmese music
Years active1925 (1925)–present
Past membersMyoma Nyein, Gyi Ohn, Gyi Ngwe, Thant, Hla Din, and Mya Thein

The Myoma Amateur Music Association (Burmese: မြို့မတူရိယာအသင်း), commonly known as the Myoma troupe or Myoma band, is a traditional Burmese music band. Established in 1925 in Mandalay, it is the longest surviving band in the country.[1]

History

Myoma was established in 1925 by amateur musicians - Myoma Nyein, Gyi Ohn, Gyi Ngwe, Thant, Hla Din, and Mya Thein - in Mandalay, British Burma (now Myanmar).[2] In 1928, a Chinese pawn shop owner donated money, enabling the band to expand its repertoire to a variety of wind instruments.[2] The band's composer and leader, Myoma Nyein, became one of the country's most distinguished musicians.[2] Throughout the years, the band briefly changed its name to others such as Naypyidaw, but ultimately reverted to its original name, Myoma.[2]

From 1927 until 1978, Myoma was a fixture in Mandalay's Thingyan (traditional new year) celebrations, parading the city and performing live atop a parade float featuring a silver swan.[3][2][4] The tradition was resumed in 1996.[2] Over the years, notable actors and singers like Win Oo performed with Myoma.[4] The band also entertained foreign delegations, including Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi, who visited Burma in the 1960s.[1]

In the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, the band courted controversy for performing at the opening ceremony of Yadanabon Hall in Mandalay, an event that headlined Min Aung Hlaing, the coup leader.[1]The opening ceremony of Yadanabon Hall event was reportedly organized by executives who have close ties to the military regime. Most of those who performed were graduates of Mandalay University of Arts and Culture with only a few home-grown musicians of Myoma participating in the event. Following the performance, one of the main singers of the band, Aung Kyaw Hein, wrote on his Facebook that he had resigned from Myoma.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Beloved Myanmar Band Tarnishes Reputation by Playing for Junta Leaders". Thai PBS World. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "88 years strong, the Myoma Musical Troupe brings a Mandalay Thingyan tradition to Yangon". The Myanmar Times. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  3. ↑ Saw, R. e (2017-04-12). "[Thingyan Special] MYOMA NYEIN: The Enchanting Silver Swan". MYANMORE. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  4. 1 2 "A traditional Mandalay Thingyan". The Myanmar Times. 2014-03-31. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
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