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Today, I happened to discover a piece of writing of mine written 20 years ago in the early days of soc.culture.burma founded by some democrats who were from Burma, especially Piang Lilian, son of U No Zam, a member of Pariament from Falam Township
constituency in the days of U Nu. Invited by Piang Lilian, I joined soc.culture.burma, and I have remained here ever since. One of my fist ten postings, "A New, Inclusive Name in Place of Burma.Myanmar" suggested federalism, fraternity, equality, and
democracy.
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A Nostalgic Piece of Writing (20 Years Ago)

A New, Inclusive Name In Place of Burma/Myanmar

1 post by 1 author
By Goodheart
6/14/96

The word Burma as used in English comes from Bamar as written
in Burmese. A member of the people of Burma is a Burman in English
and Bamar in Burmese. (Is the plural form of Burman Burmans or
Burmen?) The name refers to the dominant people inhabiting Burma.
The adjective form of Burma is Burmese in English. The language of
Burma is also Burmese in English.

Bamar and Myanmar are interchangeable. The Mya Zedi Kyauksar
(a historic inscription during King Kyansittha's reign, 11th
century AD) contained four languages: Pyu, Myanmar, Mon and Pali.
Pyu people were later assimilated into Myanmar people. Mon people
are still with us. Pali is a dead language from India.

Although Shan people conquered and ruled Myanmar people at
one time, and were conquered and ruled by Myanmar people at another
time, Zomi (Chin) people never conquered and ruled Myanmar people,
and were never conquered and ruled by Myanmar people. If you read
Myanmar History, you will not find much about Zomi (Chin) people,
despite the propaganda "Chin neh Bamar, swe-yin-char; Bamar neh
Chin, swe-myo-yin" (Chin and Bamar are genuinely close relatives).

From Tagaung Dynasty and Pagan dynasty up to Konbaung Dynasty,
there had been almost no connection between Myanmar (Bamar) people
and Zomi (Chin), Kachin, and Kayin people. And neither the word
Myanmar nor the word Bamar included these people. We can read about
the battles and wars between Myanmar and Mon, and Myanmar and
Rakhaing. That means that Mon and Rakhaing people were not, and are
not, Myanmar people.

Zomi (Chin) and Myanmar had some kind of connection only when
both fell under the British, who put them under one country, called
Burma. All Myanmar people fell under the Bristish by 1886, and all
Zomi (Chin) people only by 1900. Even though they were under one
British governor, Myanmar and Zomi were administered differently.
Therefore Doh-Bamar A-si-a-yone was an organization founded by Bamar
people for Bamar people. You will not find any Zomi (Chin) who was
among the leaders of that organization.

Neither the word Bamar nor the word Myanmar is inclusive of all
the 135 indigenous races. Bamar/Myanmar is only one of the 135 races.
There are 134 other races, who are not Bamar/Myanmar. Therefore to
call our country Burma or Myanmar does not do justice to the other
races who are not Bamar/Myanmar. We need a new word which is
inclusive of all the races in our country.

Does any of us conceive of a good idea?

Xxx



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