Interesting Paan Variations

Myanmar

Betel chewing has a long tradition in Myanmar, and up until the 1960s most households had a kun it, or a lacquerware box for paan, often to offer to guests with green tea on the side. Known as kwun-ya, the recipe of what is inside Myanmar’s betel leaf changes from one kiosk to another, with some including tobacco, chilli, and even jam! A toothpick is often used to keep everything in place before you pop it in your mouth.

Bangladesh

Paan-shupari is an important element of Bangladeshi culture, rich or poor. The leaves are arranged on a decorated plate called paandani and offered to elderly people – particularly women – when they engage in leisure time gossip with their friends and relatives. It also plays a vital part in rituals, etiquette, and manners. On formal occasions, offering paan symbolises the time for departure, and in festivals and dinners, paan-shupari is used as celebratory offerings.

Philippines

Part of the indigenous culture in the Philippines, betel nut chewing is colloquially known as buyo, bunga, hitso, or nga nga (which means “to chew”) in Tagalog and bua, maman or mama in Ilocano. Today, chewing betel nut is primarily done amongst the Lumads of Mindanao, locals in the lowland barrios, and the inhabitants of the Cordilleras. Although the tradition in urban areas has been replaced with modern vices such as cigarettes and chewing gum, in rural areas, betel nut chewing continues to thrive.

Taiwan

Bīnláng is sold from roadside kiosks by bīnláng xīshī, or “betel nut beauties”. Donned in miniskirts, these ladies are seen in neon-lit glass kiosks by the roadside, and the target audience for their tasty bīnláng are, naturally, men. While betel nut is sold in many parts of Asia, this unusual marketing tactic is a Taiwanese tradition. It is also one that is controversial, with concerns about exploitation and health violations, especially since a majority of the employees are from working class backgrounds.

Indonesia & Malaysia

Referred to as bersirih, nyirih or menginang, chewing betel nut is widespread amongst ethnic groups in Indonesia, especially in the Javanese, Balinese, and Malay communities. Menginang chewing is a vital gesture in welcoming guests with a complete and elaborate set of sirih pinang equipment. The set is usually made of wooden lacquerware, brass or silverware and it consists of a combol (container), bekas sirih (leaf container), kacip (press-knife to cut areca nut), gobek (small pestle and mortar), and ketur (spit container). Sirih pinang has become a symbol of Malay culture, as are the sayings, “The betel opens the door to the home” or “The betel opens the door to the heart”. Menginang is used at many formal occasions such as marriages, births, deaths, and healings.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, trau is an important symbol of love and marriage, and the Vietnamese phrase chuyện trầu cau, or “matters of betel and areca”, is synonymous with marriage. Chewing trau starts when the marriage is arranged up till the wedding itself, where the leaves and juices are used ceremonially.