PEOPLE OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
MAIN ETHNIC GROUPS
308
whichever group was strongest – usually the Bamar (Burmese) in the
past few hundred years. Most ethnic groups continue to live in some
sort of troubled isolation in the mountains lining much of Myanmar’s
international borders, notably the Shan, Kayah and Kayin in the east; the
Kachin to the north; and the Chin and Rakhaing to the west.
As in many other ethnically (and religiously) diverse countries, feelings
of pride and prejudice cause friction between Myanmar’s ethnic groups.
Ask a Bamar (or a Shan or a Kayin) their opinion about their countryfolk
of diff erent ethnic or religious backgrounds and you’ll get an idea of what
kinds of challenges governments in Myanmar down the ages have faced
in their eff orts to keep the peace and preserve the borders.Bamar
‘The one single factor which has had the most infl uence on Bur-
mese culture and civilisation is Theravada Buddhism.’
Aung San Suu Kyi, Freedom from FearAlso known as Burman or Burmese, the Bamar make up the majority
(69% according to 1983 census data) of the population. Thought to have
originally migrated from the Himalaya, the Bamar ruled much of what is
now Myanmar from Bagan (Pagan) by the 11th century. When the Brit-
ish conquered Myanmar in the 19th century, it was the Bamar who had
to relinquish the most. Many ancient court customs and arts were lost
when the Bamar monarchy was abolished.
Despite an enduring attachment to older animist beliefs in nat (spir-
its) the Bamar, from trishaw drivers to senior generals, are devout Bud-
dhists. Monks are highly respected and the
media reports daily on the merit-making
of top offi cials at the country’s principal
Buddhist places of worship – continuing a
tradition of patronage started by Burmese
monarchs.
Coming of age (shinbyu) is a major event
in Bamar/Buddhist culture with parades
around villages and towns for boys about
to enter monasteries as novice monks, and
both girls and boys having their ears pierced.
For more on Buddhist traditions see p 338.
The military and current government
stopped short of making Buddhism the
state religion (as Prime Minister U Nu did
in 1960). However, nation-building eff orts
have included establishing the Bamar lan-
guage (Burmese) as the language of instruc-
tion in schools throughout Myanmar, so
most non-Bamar speak Burmese as a sec-
ond language.Chin
The Chin inhabit the mountainous region
(mostly corresponding with Chin State) that
borders India and Bangladesh to the west.
Chin State is restricted to travellers, but can
be visited with government permission.
Of Tibeto-Burman ancestry, the Chin
people call themselves Zo-mi or Lai-mi
(both terms mean ‘mountain people’), and
share a culture, food and language with theKhin Myo Chit’s
English-language
Colourful Myan-
mar highlights
many customs
and traditions
of Myanmar life
and is available
in many Yangon
bookshops.BengalBay ofDaweiPatheinBago
Yangon
MawlamyineHpa-anSittweHakhaSagaingLashioTaunggyiNay Pyi TawMandalayLoikawMyitkyinaINDIA
CHINATHAILANDNaga(Karen)(Burman) KayahMonKayinKachinRakhaingBamarShanChin