A Quick Note On People In Myanmar

Myanmar, also known as Burma, is located in Southeast Asia. Its neighbouring countries are Thailand, Bangladesh, Laos, China, and India. There are at least one hundred and eight different indigenous language groups in Myanmar, comprising mainly Tibeto-Burman people but with a large population of Tai-Kadai, Hmong-Mien, and Austroasiatic (Mon-Khmer) people. Most people are Bamar Buddhists; however, there is cultural diversity in the country. This article will extensively learn and discuss the various indigenous ethnic groups of Myanmar and the population distribution.

About Myanmar

The country gained independence from Britain in 1948. The military ruled it from 1962 until 2011 when the new government began to reintroduce democracy. It has a population of about 54 million, most of whom speak Burmese, although they speak other languages. 

The largest city is Yangon (Rangoon), but Nay Pyi Taw is the capital. The main religion is Buddhism. Burma’s geographical location has led the country to attract immigrants from many different backgrounds during its long history. Also, the indigenous ethnic groups are estimated to make up at least one-third of the world’s population and live in part.

Indigenous Ethnic Groups of Myanmar

Myanmar is a culturally and ethnically diverse nation. One hundred and thirty-five different races coexist on this land. The main indigenous ethnic groups in the seven suburbs of Burma are Bamar, Kayin, Shan, Mon, Chin, Kachin, and Rakhine; other major groups include the Naga people, who live in northern Burma and are estimated to have more than 100,000 forming one complex Tibetan and Burmese family.

Population Distribution in Myanmar

Bamar is estimated at sixty-eight per cent of the population, Shan population is estimated at ten per cent, and Kayin makes up seven per cent of the population. The people of Rakhine make up about four per cent of the population, and overseas Chinese make up about three per cent of the population. Mon, who make up about two per cent of the population, are linguistically related to the Khmer. The Kachins, the Rohingya, the Anglo-Indians, the Gurkha, the Nepali, and a few other indigenous ethnic groups remain. Indigenous ethnic groups in Myanmar prefer the term “ethnicity” to “minority” because the term “minority” adds to their sense of insecurity in the face of what is commonly referred to as “Burmanization” – the rise and dominance of the ruling Bamar culture beyond that.

The Bamar People of Myanmar

Bamar is the biggest indigenous ethnic group in Myanmar, making up an estimated 32 million people. The Bamar people are also known as Burmese or Myanmarese of Sino-Tibetan descent of Myanmar. They mainly live near the Irrawaddy River and speak Burmese, the only official language in Myanmar. Bamar culture and identity are closely linked to the wider Myanmar culture. 

The diaspora is relatively recent in terms of history and dates back to the beginning of World War II, is largely based on the long history of military rule, and reflects Myanmar’s ethnic diversity. Many have settled in Europe, especially in Great Britain. After gaining independence in Myanmar (1948-1962), many began moving to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Japan.

The Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar

Rohingya people are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who strongly follow Islam and live in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The legal status of the Rohingya in Myanmar has been compared to that of apartheid. There are many restrictions on their free movement, access to public education, and the services of public servants. 

The indigenous ethnic group claims to be native to western Myanmar, with a legacy of more than a thousand years. It also claims to be from the pre-colonial Arakan people and the colonial Arakan; historically, the region was an independent state between Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. 

The Myanmar government views the Rohingya as British and post-colonial immigrants from neighbouring Chittagong/East Bengal. It argues that a specific number of pre-colonial Muslims are regarded as Kaman and that the Rohingya associate their history with the history of the Arakan Muslims often in order to advance the separatist agenda.

In addition, the Myanmar government does not recognize the word “Rohingya” and prefers to call the public “Bengali”. They are also denied citizenship under the Myanmar Nationality Law passed in 1982.

The Kachin People of Myanmar

The Kachin Tribes are an integrated ethnic group that resides in the Kachin Hills north of Myanmar’s Kachin Province. The name Kachin is often used interchangeably with the Jingpo people’s main set in China. This ethnic group includes various language groups with geographical areas and integrated community structures. 

The current use of Kachin is related to a group of six tribes: Rawang, Lisu, Jingpo, Zaiwa, Lashi/Lachik, and Lawngwaw/Maru. The people of this indigenous ethnic group are traditionally known for their strategic fighting skills, complex international relations, art, herbal medicine, and forest survival skills. In recent decades, Animist and Buddhist beliefs have been replaced by Christianity in some lands.

They, too, have faced several human rights violations in Myanmar.

Conclusion

During the British colonial period, there were large communities of South Asian and Chinese peoples, but most of these people left when World War II broke out. A second but compulsory emigration took place in 1963 when trade and industry were pulled out of the country. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Chinese were a small but significant part of the Myanmar people. Also, the racial complexity of the highlands sometimes leads to the unbalanced integration of some of the smaller communities with their prominent neighbours.