Chapter 3. “Myanmar – The Land of Gold and Dust” With its valuable soil in northern areas containing valuable gem-stones and gold, its golden pagodas all around the country often beautifully decorated with rubies and jade, it is easy to forget that Myanmar is a developing country today. Dry sand and dust traveling with the wind in a burning heat and streets covered in the garbage is, however, a reminder. Everywhere from the thousand sand-pagodas in Bagan, between the tofu-stations in the markets, over the fishermen’s doc in Inle Lake, to the roads of Yangon, the contrast is ever present. It accrued to me that Myanmar is, in reality, land of gold and dust, not only through materials. In Yangon, the elaborate golden decorations, older decayed buildings, and big luxury shopping malls with forever open spaces for rent and few customers are hard to miss. Myanmar´s history is rich and complex, and with as many contrasts as seen in the country´s surroundings while walking the streets. In this thesis, I will focus on Myanmar’s biggest city, Yangon. This is the city where I conducted my fieldwork, and this is the place where many of today’s challenges are apparent. To be able to discuss and gain an understanding of my research questions, it is essential to have some insight into the country´s historical background. This chapter will, therefore, introduce my field site, as well as Myanmar´s historical context. Figure II – Thingyan, April 2018. Photo: Private 36