It’s not unusual for men to apply it on their faces. Now the tradition will be considered by the U.N.’s cultural agency.

It’s not unusual for men to apply it ... in a park in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, to showcase thanakha as a symbol of Myanmar society by competing in traditional songs and dances.

on their faces as they take part in performance competition show aiming to submit the traditional culture of Thanakha to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Wednesday, Feb.12, 2025 in ...

a yellowish-white paste made from ground tree bark as a traditional natural cosmetic. Thanakha-painted cheeks are ubiquitous in Myanmar, where women and children apply the paste on their cheeks ...