Handmade Toys: Traditional Toys Are Not Good Demand Market

Myanmar traditional handmade toys like Pyit Taing Htaung, Zee Kyut and Phoe Wa Yoke are very popular among the children across the country.  

The traditional toy handicraft has been still operated in Gone Nyin Taung Village of Sagaing Township with about 50 houses. 

Toys Painter, Mar Mar Htay  said “I paint the clothes, face, eyes and shapes on the raw plain toys. The varieties of colorful toys are sold at Mandalay Phayar Gyi, markets and festivals. As Mandalay Phayar Gyi is currently closed and the festivals are temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease, there are some difficulties in business for the toys.”    

The toys are crafted by hand, plastered papers around a wooden mould. They are put to dry under the sun about 2 hours. The dried toys are dyed colors and each toy takes about three days to complete.

Toys Painter, Mar Mar Htay said “I have been working the toys business since 30 years ago and this handicraft work has been worked by almost the whole village. It’s my vocational job and I get about 5000 kyats per day from this work.”

As COVID-19 disease outbreaks across the country, some locals are currently facing difficulties to resume their handicraft works and make business for traditional handmade toys, according to the Information and Public Relations Department.