Brass
Description: Searching out myanmar culture through brass.
By Theingi Myo
There is no doubt that Brass has been playing an important role in Myanmar's culture as you can seen Brass Buddha statues or bells or triangular brass gongs (Kji Si) in most cultural related places around the country.
Mostly, you will see triangular brass gongs (Kji Si) hanging under a Buddha Shrine or Golden or Bronze Buddha statue or where you pay a visit to a Buddhist house. The Triangular brass gong is one of Myanmar's traditional musical instruments and mostly struck for delivering one's merit for others or urging people to get involved in religious affairs. So, it is struck whenever saying prayers or during the offering of food at altars near the Buddha or lighting oil lamps as offertory. You will see the person who holds the triangular brass gong at the head of the queue of donations.
Generally, it they differ in size ranging from 2 inches to 30 inches. Brass gongs and the way of striking triangular gongs are different from other kinds of instruments. They are struck from one edge to another to produce a dulcified tone. Another musical instrument made of brass, widely used in Myanmar culture, is the bell, as it produces a more pleasant sound than bells made from other materials and it endures weather changes. Furthermore, Buddha Statues are widely made of brass.
In Myanmar, the method of making materials made of brass is quite interesting as it is more related to dexterity of the maker. Normally, brass is heated and put into a mould. Before casting, a proportion sand mud and bran are mixed according to the ratio and the mould is drafted and then, the drafted mould is stuck with soil and applied with a mixture of coal powder and horse's excreta.
On the surface, wax is stuck in detail to get a required shape. The mixture of mud, sand and bran is then stuck on the layer to avoid the dripping of brass liquid inside. While, sticking the mixture, holes, one for throwing brass liquid inside and another one for the emission of gas is prepared. In the next step, the whole mould is burnt and waxes inside the mould melt and flow out via the exit hole. At the same time, the brass liquid is poured into the mould and replaces the outgoing wax’s place. The mould is, then, chilled out and the outer layer is uncovered. After that, the draft mould is cast with bolt, file and sandpaper to get required shape.
Brass is a mixture of copper and zinc with a ratio of 54.1 percent and 45.9 percent. The main ingredient, copper has been in existence in Myanmar for many years, but used for normal accessories, not big ones.
Another alloy acquired by mixing copper and iron is bronze and it has been used since many years ago. At that time, iron was not widely known to human society and bronze became a necessity. In accordance with that, the bronze era was popular after the stone era.
From : SWESONE (Yangon Airways In-flight Magazine) October – January 2006