Indawgyi Myanmar 31/46: The Culinary Charm of Nong Samsu, Red Tai Girl from Ban Longkok, Indawgyi 2/3 The Elders of Red Tai Appear

Indawgyi Myanmar 31/46: The Culinary Charm of Nong Samsu, Red Tai Girl from Ban Longkok, Indawgyi 2/3 The Elders of Red Tai Appear

I, mr.hotsia, had the opportunity to travel to Inndawgyi Lake in Kachin State, Myanmar. The time of my visit was when the beauty of the lifestyle of the Red Tai people in Ban Longkok was fully revealed. Indawgyi is a large freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, covering over 780 square kilometers. Around this lake, there are more than 20 Red Tai and Shan villages, where I experienced the lifestyle and culture of the Red Tai people up close. This is an experience I, mr.hotsia, want to share with everyone in detail.

The Culinary Charm of the Red Tai Girl from Ban Longkok

Ban Longkok is a small village by Inndawgyi Lake where I had the chance to share a meal with a very lovely Red Tai girl. I will call her "Nong Samsu" because of her outstanding cooking skills. Nong Samsu cooks with great care, mostly using local ingredients caught from the lake and surrounding forests, such as fresh small fish caught in the morning, combined with local herbs that have a unique fragrant aroma.

Nong Samsu makes a spicy Red Tai fish curry that is hot but not harsh on the tongue, with a balanced flavor just like what I, mr.hotsia, used to eat in my hometown. Sometimes I dipped it in chili paste made from ground chili, garlic, and local shrimp paste. This flavor is the culinary charm that made me keep reaching for more hot steamed rice.

The Elders of Red Tai Appear, Preserving Culture at Indawgyi

While walking around Ban Longkok village, I saw elderly Red Tai people sitting together on a wooden terrace by the lake. They still wore traditional Red Tai clothing completely, chatting and sharing stories to pass on their tribe’s culture to the younger generation. I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to sit and listen to stories from these elders, which helped me understand the strong bond between the Red Tai people and Inndawgyi Lake better.

Besides cultural stories, they also talked about adapting to modern times and preserving local wisdom, such as making woven crafts and weaving Red Tai fabrics with unique characteristics. The warmth and sincerity of the villagers made me feel like visiting relatives abroad.

Journey to Inndawgyi Lake and the Context of Kachin State

For the trip to Inndawgyi Lake, I, mr.hotsia, departed from Myitkyina, the largest city in Kachin State, about 40 kilometers from the lake. The most convenient way to travel is renting a motorcycle from the hotel, which costs about 350 baht per day. Riding on the roads here is a bit challenging because some roads are still dirt tracks with a lot of dust, so I recommend bringing a face mask.

Kachin State is geographically important as the origin of the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar’s main river. The river’s source is formed by the confluence of the Mali Hka and N'Mai Hka rivers at Myitkyina, which is not far from Inndawgyi. You can read more about the origin of the Irrawaddy River in the article.Kachin StateMine

Lifestyle and Local Food at Inndawgyi

Besides the natural beauty and Red Tai culture, food is another charm I, mr.hotsia, must share. When visiting Inndawgyi, I tasted fresh and spicy local dishes such as Hilsa fish, which is culturally and economically important in this region. This fish can be grilled or made into curry, with a balanced flavor and a unique aroma especially when cooked with local herbs.

If anyone is interested in street food or wants to try various styles of food in Myanmar, I recommend reading the articleStreet Food in Ye CityOr if you want to know about the food of Bagan, which is not far away, try readingFood and Dining in Bagan, Myanmarwhich I have also written.

Travel and Field Experience by mr.hotsia

During this visit to Inndawgyi, I chose to stay in a small village to truly experience the lifestyle, not rushing like other tourist spots. Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the lake and boating to see the surrounding nature were my favorite moments. The small boats rented from locals took me to see many rare birds; Inndawgyi is one of Myanmar’s important birdwatching sites.

An unmissable experience was talking with the village elders who shared stories and local wisdom, as well as learning how to cook and live simply yet beautifully. I, mr.hotsia, feel very fortunate to have seen and experienced the true charm of Inndawgyi.

Summary

Inndawgyi Lake is not just a natural viewpoint or wildlife reserve; it is also the living place of the Red Tai people who have preserved their traditional culture and lifestyle firmly. I, mr.hotsia, invite everyone to visit Inndawgyi to experience the culinary charm of Nong Samsu and the elders of the Red Tai. There are many more stories to discover here.

For those interested in learning more about Inndawgyi, you can watch the video I have produced atIndawgyi Myanmar 31/46: The Culinary Charm of Nong Samsu, Red Tai Girl from Ban Longkok, Indawgyi 2/3 The Elders of Red Tai AppearI guarantee that both the visuals and sounds will make you feel like you are traveling with me, mr.hotsia.