Rakhine State Cultural Museum

The Rakhine State Cultural Museum is a museum in Myanmar that serves as a repository for the cultural heritage of the Rakhine people, including their history, cultural traditions, and costumes. Located in Sittwe, in Rakhine State, the museum was opened on 19 February 1996.^[1] The admission fee is $2 US and opening hours are from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Rakhine State Cultural Museum

ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ် ယဉ်ကျေးမှုပြတိုက်
Former name	Arakan State Cultural Museum and Library
Established	1955; 70 years ago (1955)
Location	No. 70, Corner of Main Road and Ye Dwin Street, Maw Laik Ward, Sittwe Rakhine State, Myanmar
Coordinates	20.1419°N 92.8992°E / 20.1419; 92.8992
Type	Cultural museum
Owner	Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (Myanmar)

History

The precursor to the museum, the Arakan State Cultural Museum and Library, was first established in Kyaukphyu Township in 1955.^[1] Its initial purpose was to provide literary resources for students of Kyaukpyhu College, support thesis research for academic degrees, and contribute to historical studies.^[1] In 1978, the museum was relocated to Akyab (now Sittwe) with the approval of the executive committee of the people's council and the Department of Cultural Institute.^[1]

The museum's groundbreaking ceremony occurred on 1 December 1990, marking the beginning of construction for a new, dedicated museum facility, to conserve the ancient cultural heritage of the Rakhine people, explore their traditions and customs, and disseminate cultural knowledge.^[1] The four-storey building, measuring 116 by 84 feet (35 m × 26 m) with a height of 52 feet (16 m), was constructed with a government investment of K50.20 million.^[1] It officially opened its doors to the public on 19 February 1996.^[1]

In 2023, the museum suffered minor damage as a result of Cyclone Mocha.^[1]