The Background of Karenni National Day

The Background of Karenni National Day

Karenni people descended from Mongolia Plateau and settled in Demawsoe Plain then established Karenni State in about 739 BC. From then on, they elected their own chief to rule the country. Soon afterward, Yuan feudal king from the north invaded Karenni and oppressed the Karenni people as slaved for almost a hundred years. At last, Karenni people united and expelled the Yuan feudal king from Karenni and continued to love under the rule of their elected chief as before.

Even though Karenni is a small country co-inhabited by ethnic peoples, who share same culture, it is full of rich natural resources and country would be prosperous and developed if free to extract and use its resources.

In 1857, the British government representative Load Dalhosei recognized Karenni independence and signed a friendship agreement with Karenni in 1862. Moreover, the representatives of British governor and Burmese king signed and agreement on June 21, 1875 in recognition of Karenni independence. Even when the British took control of the whole Burma, Karenni still remain a free state outside the British’s occupation. Therefore, June 21 is regarded as the Karenni National Day and it is celebrated once every year to maintain and preserve the precious meaning of it.

The conflict between the ethinic nationalities and the successive Burma rulers began after Burma granted its independence in 1948. Howerver, the main causes of conflict between Burma rulers and the ethnic nationalities were different for each nationality. Some were based on equality, and some were on the grounds of self-determination or autonomy. The Karenni cause wasn’t the same as these, but rather to maintain her independence, and therefore, the conflict between the Burma rulers and Karenni started.

As a result of chronic war that was initiated by the Burmese, lives, properties and rights of the Innocent people have been lost during over five decades. Besides, in the late of 1988 there was student demonstration and thousands of different ethnic groups such as Kayah, Kayan, Kayaw, Paku, Manu, Bweh, Shan and Pao so on had to leave their home town and reside in the Thailand, refugee camps mainly Mae Hong Son district for their safety. Last 18 years (1991-92), Karenni people have lost sanctuary as temporary dwellers. There are over 23000 population who is being sheltering in Thailand. Among these 23000 populations, generally 8000 population are young people.  

The belief of Karenni people

A Brief History of Karenni

The Ancient Migration 

 
From Mongolia, it was the second migration of the Karen tribes, took place in B.C. 2015, traversed through Tibet, then to Yunan where they built villages, towns and cities. In B.C. 1128, they gradually moved south through Chu-coke pass, then into Kutkai highland plateau, traversed through the Shan highland plateau and finally built the last settlement in the land of Deemawsoe (Nywedaung), now known as the Karenni (Kayah) State.

Karenni is a small state, but originally separated from Burma and had enjoyed its full independence. Throughout the history of Karenni or Burma, Karenni had never put under the subordination of Burmese kings or Siamese. However, over a thousand of years, Karenni was subjugated by the feudal Yun  (a tribe come from the North and now living in North Thailand and Shan State) who enslaved and overtaxed the Karenni people. When Karenni people could not tolerate the oppression under the kings of Yun any longer, they took up arms and expelled the intruders out of Karenni State. As recorded by some historians,  the Karenni sawphyas (princes) sometimes formed a friendship treaties with the Burmese Kings and the Siamese Kings. There are many documents which supported Karenni's independence. In 1881, when colonial British annexed Burma, the British didn't annex the Karenni States. Instead, recognized Karenni sovereignty status by treating them as feudatory state, allied to the British in various conflict, helping them in the defeat of the Japanese occupation forces during World War II.

This recognition of Karenni as an independent state was confirmed in June 1875 when an agreement was signed between the Burmese King Mindon and the Viceroy and Governor General of British India recognising the independence of the four western Karenni states:

“It is hereby agreed between the British and Burmese Government that the State of Western Karenee shall remain separate and independent, and that no sovereignty or governing authority of any description shall be claimed or exercised over that State.

Whereunto we have on this day, the 21st day of June 1875, corresponding with the 3rd day of the Waning Moon of Nayoung, 1237 B.E., affixed our seals and signatures. "
"seal " (sd) T.D Forsyth                          " seal" (sd) Kin Woon Mingyi

While the Burmese leaders were demanding the independence from British, they also made effort to persuade Karenni to join the would be called the Union of Burma but the Karenni leaders were not interested as they wanted to retain self-determination. When British granted Burma independence in 1948,  the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) led by U Nu illegally incorporated Karenni  into Burma without the knowledge of the Karenni Government and the consent of Karenni people that resorted in the long years fighting continues until today.

For Further information:
http://www.karennihomeland.com/
http://www.karenni.org/about_the_karenni.php
http://www.karenniphe.com/thekarenni.htm