Marble village
Sa Gyin village is renowned for the quality of its marble stone production which lies one hour drive (45km) from Mandalay. Sa Gyin means marble in Myanmar. The village in which there are marble quarries, called Sa Gyin Village. The village is in flat land and surrounded by many hills. From all hills local villagers produce beautiful marble. Hundreds of quarries, some are at the base and some are at the top of the hills.
Most of marble factories are private, there is also a government-own marble factory as well. Famous 729 marble slabs to record about Buddha teaching which is well-known as the world biggest book in Mandalay are the products of Sa Gyin Hills in 19th century. Nine meters tall marble Buddha image at Kyauk Taw Gyi pagoda in Mandalay is one of the huge marble Buddha images in Myanmar was carved in Sa Gyin village during the time of King Mindon (19th century). In the year 2000, huge marble Buddha image from Sa Gyin Hill was venerated at Mindama Hill near Yangon airport also known as Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda. It is known as Loka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni and only one Marble Buddha image in Yangon.
For centuries, villagers have produced marble. Myanmar marble is white marble used especially to curve Buddha Statues. Myanmar white marble is good for facilities and interior decorations. Myanmar widely uses marble for floor at pagoda which is known as sun-resistance stone.
Marble collectors and craftsmen says that as long as there is marble stone and demand for Buddha statues, their livelihood will remain profitable.
The whole family is involved, the men hammer and chisel the stone and women polish the finished statues. Along the road to the village and around the hill where there is quarry, worker can be seen plying their trade, their faces covered in the thick marble powder. Some workers wear masks to protect from plumes of dust, some are not.
Different kinds of marble stone products trade with China, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan.
