Inwa, one of the historical towns 20 km from Mandalay, once – well, actually, three times – used to be the capital of Maynmar Kingdom in different periond between 14th and 16th centuries. Now it is a popular – popular in the local way what means not too crowded – tourist destination featuring slowly delapidating ancient structures and a wealth of colourful traditions one of which is using horse carts as the main means of transportation.
There are no big enterprises or businesses in Inwa except for low-scale handmade production of alms bowls. Some locals sell souvenirs to tourists or work as tour guides though the earnings are barely enough to sustain their families. No wonder that many men are leaving their families behind to earn some more money in the regional capital.
Horse carts are the only means of transportation allowed in the ancient city and till three years ago only men were permitted to drive horse carts. With time changing, you are more likely to spot a lady driving a cart than a man. Yet female drivers face serious criticism from the part of their neighbours. Some tour guides even recommend their tourists to avoid women-driven horse carts. Currently the city committee has allowed women to get licences to drive horse carts, and there are now 38 women drivers at Inwa Ohtoketan. If you are in the area, support the initiative and hore a woman driver, would you?
Photo credit: MMtimes
Heading to Inwa? Hire a Horse Cart Driven by a Woman
News in Asia
As more men from Inwa are moving to Mandalay to work as masons and carpenters in construction companies the traditional means of transportation in the region, horse carts, risk to disappear unless women take over their men's duties.