Amazing Black and White Photos Capture Everyday Life of Burma in 1986

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia, the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia and the 10th largest in Asia by area. The country is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. Its capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (Rangoon).

Myanmar is a country rich in jade and gems, oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources. It is also endowed with renewable energy; it has the highest solar power potential compared to other countries of the Great Mekong Subregion. The income gap in Myanmar is among the widest in the world, as a large proportion of the economy is controlled by supporters of the military government. As of 2020, according to the Human Development Index, Myanmar ranks 147 out of 189 countries in human development.

The name of the country has been a matter of dispute and disagreement, particularly in the early 21st century, focusing mainly on the political legitimacy of those using Myanmar versus Burma. Both names derive from the earlier Burmese Mranma or Mramma, an ethnonym for the majority Burman ethnic group, of uncertain etymology.

In 1989, the military government officially changed the English translations of many names dating back to Burma’s colonial period or earlier, including that of the country itself: Burma became Myanmar. The renaming remains a contested issue. Many political and ethnic opposition groups and countries continue to use Burma because they do not recognize the legitimacy of the ruling military government or its authority to rename the country.

Just few years before renamed to Myanmar, these amazing black and white photos were captured by Dave Glass that show everyday life of Burma in 1986.

Bagan. Ananda Temple, Burma, 1986

Bagan. Young girl, Burma, 1986

Irrawaddy River, Burma, 1986

Mandalay public transit bus, Burma, 1986

Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Mandalay. Street scene in central Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Mandalay. Street scene in central, Burma, 1986

Passengers on the ferry crossing the Irrawaddy River near Mandalay, Burma, 1986

Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. 1961 Chevrolet Impala hardtop with right-hand drive, parked in front of the Strand Hotel, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Balthazar Building, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Booksellers on the steps of the Bengali Sunni Jameh Mosque, Sule Pagoda Road, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Burmese football street tournament, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Local transit stop, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Near the Pansodan Ferry, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. River taxis along the Irrawaddy, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Street football match, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Street portraits, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Street scene in Rangoon's business district, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Street scene in Rangoon's business district, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Sule Pagoda Road, Burma, 1986

Rangoon. Woman on local bus, Burma, 1986

Riding the rails near Thazi, Burma, 1986

Stretch of roadway between Bagan and Thazi, Burma, 1986

Thazi. Public transit, Burma, 1986