INTRODUCTION

The history of the Sacred Birman is woven with legends and myths. This race is said to have originated in the temples of Burma (now Myanmar) several centuries ago. One of the best known legends tells that the Sacred Birman cats were the guardians of the temples and the souls of the priests.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SACRED CAT OF BURMA

The unique physical characteristics of the Burmese are explained by a legend: Many centuries ago the Khmer people built the temple of Lao-Tsun, to worship the sapphire-eyed golden Goddess Tsun-Kyan-Kse. Mun-Ha, who was a beloved priest, sometimes knelt in front of the Goddess with Sinh, the precious temple cat. One night, a band of robbers raided the temple and Mun-Ha was killed. When Mun-Ha died, Sinh rested his paws on his master and gazed at the golden Goddess. As he did so, the hair on his body turned golden, his yellow eyes changed to sapphire blue, and his four paws took on the colour of earth, plus his ‘hands’ became immaculate white, for the purity of his master. The next morning, the hundred cats in the temple were now golden like Sinh, who did not leave the sacred throne until 7 days later, when he died and took his Master's soul to Paradise.

Originally from western Burma. There are different stories about the arrival of Burmese cats in Europe. One of them tells that a Khmer priest gave a breeding pair to English travellers, Gordon Russell and August Pavie, as thanks for saving him from death in 1898. In Europe, these cats were first seen in France in 1916 or 1919. It is known that the male died on the journey, and that the female was pregnant. From her and her descendants the breed was recognised in France in 1925. After the Second World War only one pair remained, and it was very difficult to recover the breed.

This breed was recognised in Great Britain in 1966, and in the United States around 1967, when the CFA accepted the standard, although since 1965 they were already participating in competitions.

WHAT IS THE SACRED CAT OF BURMA LIKE?

The morphology of the Sacred Birman cat is characterised by its elegance and balance. These cats have a medium to large body, with a moderate bone structure. They have well developed musculature, which gives them a solid and robust appearance.

The head is round, with full cheeks contributing to a soft, gentle facial expression, while the eyes are large and round, and most distinctive is their deep blue colour. They are often described as ‘blue jewels’.

The nose is of medium length and has a gentle slope and the ears are of medium size, with rounded tips. The ears are neither too large nor too small.

As for the coat of the Sacred Birman, it is long, silky and fine in texture. The tail is also covered with long hair. They have a colourpoint pattern, which means that the coat colour is darker on the limbs, face, ears and tail. Sacred Birmans can have a variety of colours, including seal, chocolate, lilac, blue, cream and others.

In addition to the colourpoint pattern, they may also exhibit various patterns in their coat, such as the mitted colourpoint pattern.

Moreover, the tail is of moderate length, proportionate to the body. It may have a dense, silky coat. The paws are medium in length and proportionate to the body. The feet are round and firm.

THE HEALTH OF THE SACRED BURMESE CAT

Burmese are normally healthy animals, but may suffer from certain hereditary diseases. Some of these are:

• HYPERTROPHIC MYOCARDIOPATHY (HCM): this is the most common form of heart disease in cats and is characterised by the walls of the heart being so thick that they do not contract normally. A genetic test is available to detect carrier cats.

• POLYCYSTIC RENAL DISEASE: A disorder that causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. This can result in enlargement of the kidneys and kidney failure.

The coat is semi-long or long and very fine and silky. It has a small undercoat, which means it rarely tangles, making it very easy to care for. It should be combed regularly with a comb or steel brush to keep it soft and shiny. In winter, the Burmese sheds a lot of hair, so it is advisable to comb it more frequently.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE SACRED BURMESE CAT

Burmese are elegant, gentle cats that move with the delicacy you would expect from these ancient temple cats. They have an adorably sweet disposition, and love to have their heads gently stroked and to sleep on your lap. They communicate with soft, clear sounds, and will let you know if they want food and petting or if you have locked them in a room, but they don't need too much attention.

They are also intelligent and curious, and like to explore nearby territory. This can lead to your cat getting trapped in the garage or you may find them sleeping peacefully on your neighbour's bed. They are sociable and get along well with adults, children, other cats and often dogs too, making them the perfect family cat. Despite their relaxed and easy-going nature, they also love to play. Interactive toys, balls, running races or playing dress-up with children are just some of the activities that can amuse your cat.

Because of their sociable nature, Burmese tend to get a little nervous if left alone for long periods of time. It is beneficial for them to have company at all times, whether from humans or other pets.

CONCLUSION

The Burmese is known to be very affectionate and loving, having been bred as a companion cat for many generations. Burmese are docile and meow softly. They are sociable, smart and friendly cats; they are also curious and like human company, but not too noisy.