iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Seeking a wolves/ticks/desert/tundra Halloween gift for your favorite goth barista or bibliophile trick-or-treater? Or reading matter for the less-eerie holidays to follow? Order "Where the Mithuns Are: Essays on War, Art and Beasts": blueearbooks.com/where-the-mi...

Book, "Where the Mithuns Are" amid autumn leaves with pumpkin, rat & crow effigies.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

This was a caffeinated still life from a few years ago. Very happy for hero Anne Carson to be the Laureate today.

Book, "red doc" by Anne Carson, muskox print by E. Mirante, coffee mug with Great Auk.

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Kiku @ SPX W15A @kikuhughes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Hi friends, I am participating in a symbolic pilgrimage in October where we walk a physical path reflecting the historic path from WWII Japanese American incarceration to current ICE detention centers. If you're in the area, please check out our public events, especially the Solidarity Day at NWDC

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Xun-ling Au 歐迅灵 🏴 @xunlingau.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Good visualisation work by Caroline Pyae of @dvbenglish.bsky.social mapping out the massacres in Myanmar by the Juta's forces by type, location & much more. It's horrifiying but really important to remind ourselves why we must support the Peoples of Myanmar to utterly remove this murderous regime

myanmar-massacres.vercel.app

THE DATA BEHIND MYANMAR’S MASSACRES

This project documents massacres against civilians attributed to the Myanmar military and affiliated forces. Here, a massacre means one incident in which at least five civilians were killed.

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Md Jamal Photography @mdjamal.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

On #WorldHabitatDay, scenes from the Rohingya refugee camp remind us of the ongoing struggle for adequate shelter, dignity, and hope for millions displaced from their homeland. #Rohingya #Bangladesh #Refugeescamp #education #RohingyaCrisis #RohingyaYouth #Rohingyachild #saverohingya #HabitatDay

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

September tour in the "Industrial History Belt": presented my "Where the Mithuns Are: Essays on War, Art and Beasts" with discussions at amazingly cool, important bookstores: The Reading Room CLE in Cleveland Ohio & @burningbooks.bsky.social in Buffalo NY. 📚

Collage of 4 images. LS Quinn of The Reading Room CLE & author Edith Mirante in front of bookshelves. Boat going through bridge on Cuyahoga River to Lake Erie in Cleveland. Paper sign saying "Lake Ontario" in front of lake. Stickers & bookmarks for Burning Books store (Buffalo NY).

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Milk Tea Alliance Calendar @mtacalendar.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

lastly Advance Myanmar are looking to fund two diggers to support the Karenni Interim Executive Council with landmine clearance. This would make a huge impact in protecting communities from the scourge of landmines, help communities re-connect by clearing roads & much more. 16/

gofundme.com

Donate to Help the Karenni Clear Landmines & Rebuild Their Communities, organized by Advance Myanmar

Burma has the highest number of landmine casualties in the wo… Advance Myanmar needs your support for Help the Karenni Clear Landmines & Rebuild Their Communities

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Rohingya Refugee News (RRN) @rohingyarefugee.news · 02/10/2026

Malaysia just dragged Zafar Ghani into court in handcuffs. He faces up to 10 years in prison under the Societies Act for being the president of MERHROM, a Rohingya human rights group operating publicly since 1998. www.rohingyarefugee.news/p/the-absurd... Here is the insanity of this case: 🧵👇

rohingyarefugee.news

The Absurd Prosecution of a Rohingya Activist by Malaysia

The Prosecution of Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani and the Legal Void for Refugees in Malaysia

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Xun-ling Au 歐迅灵 🏴 @xunlingau.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Zafar Ghani been arrested by Malaysia authorities. For years I've had messages from Zafar about his precarious situation in Malaysia & that of the Rohingya. Trying to get more support, raise awareness & find solutions, I know I'm not the only one... he's never given up. #FreeZafarGhani

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This weekend, bookstores in Cleveland & Buffalo! 🦬

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Industrial History Belt touring my "Where the Mithuns Are: Essays on War, Art and Beasts" at cool venues The Reading Room CLE in Cleveland Ohio (Sept. 26, 2PM, tix $5 advance) & @burningbooks.bsky.social in Buffalo NY (Sept 27, 7PM, free.) Looking forward to Lake Erie & of course Lake Ontario! 📚

map showing Lake Erie & Lake Ontario, with info about Edith Mirante events at Reading Room Cleveland Sept. 26 2PM & Burning Books, Buffalo NY Sept. 27 7PM.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Myanmar Now: "The former prisoner said Dein Daung... taught young prisoners about literature & history. [when asked] what he planned to do after his release. He reportedly said he wanted to visit internally displaced people and share their hardships." myanmar-now.org/en/news/myan...

myanmar-now.org

Myanmar political prisoner Dein Daung dies after delayed medical treatment

The 60-year-old died en route to a hospital five minutes’ drive from the prison after experiencing severe breathing difficulties

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

15/15. My previous Burma (Myanmar) History Threads & reports are linked at: www.projectmaje.org. Order my latest book "Where the Mithuns Are: Essays on War, Art and Beasts" at: blueearbooks.com/where-the-mi...

Cover of book "Where the Mithuns Are" in front of a river.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

14. Soon after Feb. 2021 coup, my History Thread posted Mar. 6, 2021 was "the poetry of Burma (Myanmar) and political resistance." Poets continue to inspire & participate in the anti-coup revolution: myanmar-now.org/en/news/we-c...

myanmar-now.org

‘We cannot write as before’: Women poets of Myanmar’s Spring Revolution

While Myanmar's poet-soldiers make headlines, a generation of women writers is forging a poetry of courage

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

13. May 20, 2020 thread was "A brief history of health care professionals in Burma." March 2026 article described challenges for medical providers in post-coup revolutionary years: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

theguardian.com

The Myanmar nurses dodging drones to graduate from a secret jungle school

This week, the first students completed a three-year degree course, ready to treat displaced people and pro-democracy fighters unable to risk government-run hospitals

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

12. History Thread posted May 11, 2025 gave background on rare earth minerals in Burma (Myanmar). Continues to be an important issue, with July 2026 article by @emilyfishbein11.bsky.social & @jaumannaw.bsky.social detailing labor, environmental, economic, military effects: grist.org/internationa...

grist.org

How war in Myanmar is driving a deadly rare earth mining boom

Decades of conflict have left Myanmar vulnerable to a secretive industry that is polluting communities and endangering workers.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

11. The History of dam projects in Burma (Myanmar) was described in thread posted March 27, 2026. Dangerous Myitsone Dam project still being promoted by coup regime, China, according to Aug. 2026 article: news.mongabay.com/short-articl...

news.mongabay.com

Myanmar junta pushes to restart Myitsone Dam project

Since June, Myanmar’s military government has increased its efforts to restart a massive, controversial hydropower project backed by China that has remained suspended for 15 years. The Myitsone Dam pr...

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

8. History Thread posted June 24, 2020 described the array of natural disasters endured by Burma (Myanmar) over centuries, including earthquakes, cyclones, floods. As with July-Aug. 2026 flooding, disasters compounded by regime neglect & aid blockades: progressivevoicemyanmar.org/2026/08/21/a...

progressivevoicemyanmar.org

Water as Warfare: How Myanmar Military Weaponizes Flooding in Central Myanmar - Progressive Voice

The people of Central Myanmar already face an acute humanitarian catastrophe from the illegal military junta’s ongoing terror campaign[...]

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

7. History Thread on "Burma (Myanmar) relations with Russia" was posted July 7, 2021. Russia continues to provide vital military support, spurious legitimacy to Myanmar coupl regime: www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/anal...

irrawaddy.com

Analysis | Drilling Into the Military Core of Myanmar’s Alliance With Russia

Behind the diplomacy lies a billion-dollar flow of arms that has steadily increased since the 2021 coup.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

6. Series of History Threads described Burma (Myanmar) relations w. other countries/regions. History Thread on Burma (Myanmar) relations w. China posted August 11, 2021. China support of coup regime continues, & jet fuel refinery project revealed, Aug. 26: english.dvb.no/chinese-firm...

english.dvb.no

Chinese firms are helping Myanmar's military build a jet-fuel refinery, investigation finds - DVB

By *Alambara An investigation into the Thanlyin refinery project and its role in reducing the military regime’s dependence on imported aviation fuel. Myanmar’s military is moving to produce its own Je...

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

5. Project Maje produces reports + update threads on Chin State every year since Feb. 2021 coup. History Thread on "Chin State during 2025" posted Feb. 24, 2026. Sept. '26 article by Yaw Mang about civil society efforts in southern Chin State: www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/gues...

irrawaddy.com

Guest Column | Building a New Chinland: How the CPU Fights for the Future

Even as it struggled to repel marauding regime forces, the Chin People’s Union has been building a civilian government that ministers to the needs of its people, says spokesman Yaw Mang.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

3. Air warfare in Burma (Myanmar) History Thread was posted July 14, 2022. On Sept. 10, 2026, revolutionaries targeted coup regime's jets at Tada-U airbase with FPV drones. myanmar-now.org/en/news/myan...

myanmar-now.org

Myanmar resistance drones strike junta airbase near Mandalay airport

PDF fighters carried out the attack, which disrupted civilian flights and triggered fighting in nearby villages

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

2. History Thread on "River warfare in Burma (Myanmar)" was posted Dec. 16, 2021. During Aug.-Sept. 2026, coup regime attempted Irrawaddy River supply/reinforcement convoy to Bhamo; relentlessly attacked by revolutionary forces. myanmar-now.org/en/news/only...

myanmar-now.org

Only one of 20 junta flotilla vessels able to return from Bhamo: KIA

Following the junta’s stunning recent defeats on the Ayeyarwady, the regime is now attempting to establish a land route to reinforce Bhamo troops instead

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

1. This History Thread adds update articles on some previous 2020-26 History Thread topics (military, environmental, foreign relations, even poetry). Links to those original threads are at projectmaje.org + others, posted monthly since Sept. 2017. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

Yellow flowers & a playground swing set with star decorations, in Chin State, Myanmar.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Info/ticket link for my Sept. 26, 2026 2:00 PM event at The Reading Room 17021 Lorain Ave, Cleveland Ohio ($5 in advance tickets, $10 day of.) www.facebook.com/share/19ZnHi...

facebook.com

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

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Xun-ling Au 歐迅灵 🏴 @xunlingau.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Footage from Resistance forces in Myanmar show FPV drone attack on Tada-U airbase near Mandalay Reports state that four aircraft were damaged, two of them significantly/destroyed. This is big as these aircraft are costly & regularly bomb civilians. There have been few successful attacks on airbases

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

During the early 1990s, between the 3 of us, Khin Ohmar, Zarni & I gave Burma talks in every state of the US. Ohmar was a tireless & impressively effective introducer of Burma (Myanmar) issues to previously unaware Americans. Her important essay describes how her calls to action took form:

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

18/18. Thanks Sampan Travel for the idea for this thread! Sources incl.: Daw Kyan, RBH 1979; R. Wicks, AM 1992; Harris +, Antiquity 2025. Previous Burma History Threads linked at: www.projectmaje.org. Order my latest book "Where the Mithuns Are" at: blueearbooks.com/where-the-mi...

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

17. As Civil Disobedience Movement & nationwide armed revolution arose vs. Myanmar coup regime, anti-coup groups devised funding methods. Crowdfunded donations (mainly diaspora) to resistance used trad. informal channels & innovative electronic methods. www.crisisgroup.org/rpt/asia/sou...

crisisgroup.org

Crowdfunding a War: The Money behind Myanmar’s Resistance | International Crisis Group

Anti-military groups in Myanmar have crowdfunded successfully over the past eighteen months despite regime efforts to deprive them of resources. Fundraisers should take steps to shield contributors fr...

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

16. Post 2021 coup US-led sanctions limited Myanmar regime access to international banking. Regime tries Chinese yuan forex & a scheme for China-enabled electronic banking workaround. Regime is under scrutiny by international Financial Action Task Force. fulcrum.sg/rules-or-rus...

fulcrum.sg

Rules or Ruse? Myanmar’s Anti-Money Laundering Efforts Coerce Compliance with a Rigged Financial System | FULCRUM

Since being labelled a “Jurisdiction of Concern” by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2022, Myanmar’s military government has undertaken efforts to improve its technical compliance with the…

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

15. Due to Feb. 2021 coup, Myanmar economy plunged into crisis. By 2023-24, with kyat falling to 7k to US$1 (1,300 pre-coup) regime was shutting down currency exchanges, "hyper" printing money & limiting bank withdrawals, facing banking liquidity crisis. www.irrawaddy.com/business/hyp...

irrawaddy.com

Hyper-Aggressive Monetary Expansion Kicks Into Overdrive in Myanmar

Junta-controlled central bank injects 3 trillion more kyats into banks in one week to ease liquidity crunch; critics warn the move will further cheapen the currency and spur inflation.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

14. During 2010s, Myanmar changed from a cash & barter economy to one where banks (often owned by regime cronies) became more prominent, with ATMs & phone-based transactions increasingly available. Gold remained very significant for savings, though. www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/arc...

taipeitimes.com

Citizens bank on gold in Myanmar’s troubled economy - Taipei Times

Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

13. As foreign investment & tourism boomed in 2010s Myanmar, FECs discontinued. Kyat remained weak vs hard currencies. Pristine US$ was required for cash currency exchange in Myanmar. fulcrum.sg/the-curious-...

fulcrum.sg

The Curious Case of the Benjamin Franklins in Myanmar: A Deeper Understanding of the Meaning of Money? | FULCRUM

The desire for clean and unmarked US dollar bills in Myanmar provides some food for thought as to the function of money.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

12. Since 1972, Burma/Myanmar kyat is printed at facility in Waza, Magway Region. Larger & larger denominations have been needed. In 1998, 1k kyat notes issued. 2009, 5k kyat notes; 2012, 10k kyat notes. Counterfeiting in 2010s, security features added. english.dvb.no/mon-police-b...

english.dvb.no

Mon police bust counterfeit banknote gang

Over US$90,000 in counterfeit banknotes is seized. Police official says forged notes are wider but shorter than real 10,000-kyat bills.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

11. Although foreign investment (resource extraction) increased in Myanmar post-1988, kyat was officially overvalued & actually extremely weak vs. hard currencies like US$. 1993 ruling junta instituted Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) "for tourists." www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/f...

irrawaddy.com

FEC's Days Are Numbered, but Demand Remains

Despite plans to abolish Foreign Exchange Certificates, many businesses in Burma still require them as payment for a range of goods and services.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

10. Burma's reintroduced 50 & 100 kyat notes again demonetized 1985. Ne Win intro'd 25, 75, 15, 35 kyat notes (numerology). Then 35 & 75 kyat notes demonetized & 45 & 90 kyat notes intro'd in 1987. Effects helped spark '88 uprising (suppressed by military.) www.irrawaddy.com/specials/on-...

irrawaddy.com

On This Day | The Day Three Myanmar Banknotes Suddenly Became Worthless

On this day in 1987, Gen. Ne Win’s government abruptly demonetized three banknotes in a move that caused financial hardship for many and hastened the end of his rule.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

9. Burma's kyat lost value as trading currency during Ne Win's rule. People used barter, illicit markets, street currency exchange to obtain, exchange goods. Currencies of neighboring countries such as Thai baht were in use, while US$ fetched a high rate in kyat (illegally.)

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

8. Gen. Ne Win took power in 1962 coup, ruling Burma for decades. Military control of economy. As international trade was closed down, illicit markets arose. Ne Win suddenly demonetized Burma's 50 & 100 kyat notes in 1964, wiping out people's cash savings. www.irrawaddy.com/specials/on-...

irrawaddy.com

On This Day | The Day Myanmar Experienced the Socialist Era's First Demonetization

On this day in 1964, Gen. Ne Win’s regime caused financial havoc when it demonetizedtwo banknotes and ceased exchanging them for legal tender just a few days later.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

7. Govt. of Burma, independent in 1948, first continued using rupees, then substituted new Bank of Burma currency in 1952: kyat banknotes + pya coins. Motifs included logging elephant on 10 kyat note, mythical chinthe on coins & in 1958, banknote images of assassinated Gen. Aung San.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

6. During WW2 Japanese occupiers of Burma introduced paper currency, first in rupees, then in kyat. Allied forces used silver rupees & trade goods (parachute cloth, opium etc.) in their operations in Burma. When Japan's forces were driven out, their Burma currency lost all value.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

5. While British ruled Burma, silver rupee coins minted in India, w. British royalty pictured, became the currency, as colony became a resource trade hub. Some of those coins are heirloom ornaments of peoples including Chins, Akha, Karenni. 1930s, colonial banknotes introduced.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

4. During Konbaung Dynasty, Mandalay mint began casting coins w. peacock images in 1865, gold & silver, kyat denominations. Also lesser-value coins of non-precious metals like copper. After British conquered Upper Burma (1885) peacock coins replaced by Colonial govt. rupees.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

3. Arakan (present day Rakhine St., western Myanmar) was a trading region. Arakan's Mrauk-U (1430–1785) Kingdom produced gold & silver coins, with Persian & other writing, some including Islamic inscriptions. Such coinage appears as Rohingya political symbols. photo: @mdjamal.bsky.social

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

2. Early silver coins have been found from Mon & Pyu locations, lands that would become Burma. These standardized coins (Pyu from 6th-10th C.) have Hindu & Buddhist symbols & sunrise motifs. British Museum: "similar to those found in India and Persia." archaeologymag.com/2025/08/anci...

archaeologymag.com

Ancient ‘rising sun’ coins reveal vast first-millennium trade networks across Southeast Asia | Archaeology News Online Magazine

Study of 4th-century CE Rising Sun and Srivatsa coins reveals ancient Southeast Asian trade networks and cultural links.

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Edith Mirante @edithmirante.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

1. This History Thread is about money in Burma (Myanmar.) Various forms of currency have been used, often with significant political as well as economic effects. 21st Century Myanmar evolved from barter/cash to electronic innovations. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

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