The operators of the traditionally-decorated bullock-carts in Zayet Phyu village, Kyaukse Township of Mandalay Region are struggling financially as the festivals and events are shut down, a cart operator U Kyaw Myint stressed.
“I make, repair and rent the decorated bullock-carts. Nowadays, this traditional business is not popular and the rent is rarely seen. We are experiencing financial hardships,” he added.
We used to rent a large number of the decorated bullock-carts this time of the previous years. at present, the donation ceremony, ordination ceremony and other festivals are closed down. Therefore, we turn to the bullock-carts for farmers to earn the livings, U Kyaw Myint explained.
The carts are made with teak, Padauk and other woods. The price varies on the customer edition and order. For bullock-cart races, a cart is worth K500,000, while a decorated cart costs K570,000 and the bullock-carts used in agriculture is estimated at K680,000. The decorated cart for the ordination ceremony is priced at K1.8 million for golden accessories and K1.6 million for silver. The decorated cart displayed in front of hotels and motels stands at around K2 million.—Thet Maung/GNLM
