The women who play chinlone
Chinlone, meaning ‘rounded basket’ is the non-competitive national sport of Myanmar. Played with a woven rattan ball, players pass the ball around in a circle using different methods of contact. The aim of the game is to keep the ball in the air, with an emphasis on technique and style, similar to that of a dance performance. Whilst women have always played Chinlone, it was less common to see them participating, particularly as short sports pants were deemed inappropriate meaning women were reluctant to wear them in public. However, over time these views have changed and its popularity has increased over the past ten years from around 40 professional female players to over 100 today.
A group of Chinlone players practice at a local monastic school in Yangon.
Tin Nilar Win (20) prepares to perform solo at Nawarat chinlone stadium. She has trained since the age of 12, following in the footsteps of her parents who are both professional players.
Chinlone is played using a woven rattan ball.
Tin Nilar Win performs ‘Tapandaing’ a solo variant of Chinlone only performed by women where hoops, balls, ropes and fire are incorporated into the performance.
Tin Nilar Win (20) practices at Kyauk Myaung Chinlone Stadium in Yangon’s Tarmwe Township.
May Phu Han has been training since she was 9. She practices most days at the stadium at her family home. Her mother was an incredibly talented player known for her special style which her daughter has inherited.
Tin Nilar Win performs at the Nawarat Chinlone Stadium in Yangon’s Thaketa Township.
Equipment used in solo performances.
May Phu Han practices moves in the compound of a monastery in North Okkalapa.
Photographed for Frontier, Myanmar.