An Explanation About National Identities of Myanmar

Myanmar has recently lost its democratic status after the military recoup in 2021. The military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing has now taken power from the previous PM, Htin Kyaw, the first democratically-elected civilian government head from 2016. Htin Kyaw was Myanmar’s first democratically- elected civilian President in 2016. The country’s population is diverse, with people of different histories, languages, religions, ethnic nationalities, etc. The two central identity markers in Myanmar are ethnicity and religion. Multiple tensions at regional, religious, and social levels significantly impact Myanmar’s national identity.

Myanmar’s First Democratically Elected Civilian

In 2016, Htin Kyaw from the National League for Democracy or NLD party became Myanmar’s first democratically- elected civilian. He was a close aide of Aung San Su Kyi and has kept a low profile. He is famous for his honest and loyal reputation in the country. Since his election, he has stressed the detailed reforms to bring the ceasefire between the different ethnic groups of the country.

While Htin Kyaw became Myanmar’s first democratically- elected civilian, Aung San Su Kyi remained the President. In 2021, the military recoupment happened, and all the key members of the ruling party were jailed or fled from the country. Aung San Su Kyi has served as the State Counsellor of Myanmar and the minister of Foreign Affairs. She was then sent to exile under different charges with her current four years of the sentence.

National Identities of Myanmar

The national identities of Myanmar include the popular symbols, icons, and cultural expressions. A quick look at these symbols is:

• National flowers of Myanmar: Padauk, Bulbophyllum/Auricomum/Thazin orchid, and the Ingyin are the three national flowers of Myanmar.
• National animals of Myanmar: Daung or Green Peafowl, Lion, and White Elephant are the three national animals of Myanmar.
• National foods of Myanmar: Mohinga and Laphet Thoke are the two national foods of Myanmar.
• National sports of Myanmar: Chinlone is the national sport of Myanmar.
• National musical instruments of Myanmar: The Saung or Burmese Harp and the Hne or Burmese oboe are the two national musical instruments of Myanmar.

Ethnic Nationalities of Myanmar

Multiple ethnic groups are present in the Myanmar government. The country has more than 135 different ethnic groups, which are grouped into eight major national, ethnic races. The top eight recognised national, ethnic races are Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Kayah, Mon, Rankine, Shan, etc. The detailed ethnic groups in some of the main ethnic nationalities of Myanmar on this list are follows:

Kachin has 12 different ethnic groups.

1. Jingpo people
2. Taron people
3. Dalaung
4. Jinghpaw
5. Guari
6. Hkahku
7. Duleng
8. Maru
9. Rawang
10. Lashi
11. Atsi
12. Lisu

Kayah has 9 different ethnic groups.

1. Karenni
2. Zayein
3. Ka- Yun
4. Gheko
5. Kebar
6. Bre
7. Manu Manaw
8. Yin Talai
9. Yin Baw

Kayin has 10 different ethnic groups.

1. Karen
2. Kayinpyu
3. Pa-Le-Chi
4. Mon Kayin
5. Sgaw
6. Ta-Lay-Pwa
7. Paku
8. Bwe
9. Monnepwa
10. Shu

Similarly, Chin has 53 different ethnic groups, Burman has 9 different ethnic groups, Rakhine has 7 different ethnic groups, Shan has 33 different ethnic groups and Mon has a single ethnic group.

Conclusion

It is easy to understand the national identities of Myanmar. A quick look at the first democratically-elected civilian and the main ethnic nationalities helps students understand Myanmar’s geographic and political details. 

Myanmar is a country of interest due to multiple reasons, which are not limited to its ethnicity, geography, and political restraints. These topics help students understand the value of the national identities of this country. A quick look at the top trending questions related to the national identities of Myanmar helps students solve their queries without staying confused in finding different study materials.