Hnyat-phanat

Hnyat-phanat (Burmese, MYname|MY=ညှပ်ဖိနပ်|MLCTS=hknyet pe nut) is a Burmese traditional and colloquial slipper (or Flip-flop. Although it refers to almost any sandle or slipper worn by the people of Myanmar, it is mostly used to refer to the traditional Mandalay slippers of Upper Burma (Myanmar).

Hnyat-phanat literally means clip footwear, since the slipper is held in place by the clipping of the big and second toe.

Design and style

The slipper is very simple and is worn by almost everybody in Myanmar. It consists of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap that passes between the first (big) and second toes and around either side of the foot. The main distinguishing feature of Burmese traditional slippers is the material.

The flat sole is plain with no patterns or designs. It is either coated with fine soft lacquer or velvet (ga-di-bar), and the same goes for the Y strap.

The colour is usually either brown or black for the lacquered ones, but can vary substantially for the velvet slippers.

Burmese slippers do not have any grip or friction on the lower side of the sole, and are thus not suitable for use in wet conditions.

ee also

*Longyi