In an attempt to settle a debate ignited by the 2014 census, the Karen Affairs Committee on May 3 announced the seven sub-tribes that officially make up the Karen ethnicity.
The S’gaw Karen, Pwo Karen, Bwe Karen, Paku Karen, Mobwa Karen, Geba Karen and Karen Phyu were named as the official sub-tribes confirmed by KAC, which said it was revealing the “true names” of the sub-groups.
“We collected the views of the entire Karen people for the project to uncover the true names of the Karen tribes. And then we confirmed the information,” said Saw Kyaw Swar, secretary of the KAC. The KAC also reiterated that the proper English spelling of the Karen people is “Karen” and not “Kayin” as the Union government officially has it.
The announcement ceremony was attended by 170 Karen representatives from Ayeyarwaddy, Thanintharyi and Yangon regions, and Kayin and Mon states. Religious leaders and members of the Karen National Union (KNU) also attended.
In the 2014 nationwide census, the government recognized eleven Karen tribes: Karen, Karen Phyu, Pa Lay Khee, Mon Karen (Sar Phyu), S’gaw, Ta Lay Pwa, Paku, Bwe, Mawnepwa, Moepwa, and Pwa (Karen).
Following disagreements over the government’s classification, the Karen Affairs Committee set out to straighten the record. Starting in February 2015, the committee held meetings in regions states, districts and townships where Karen people could be found to establish a consensus.
Not everyone agreed with the KAC’s conclusions, however.
“It’s good that they have reduced the number of Karen sub-tribes to prevent them from becoming separated but I don’t think it was good to discard other sub-tribes for not meeting the qualification,” said Sa Lah Shu, a resident of Kawkareik township who attended the discussion.
KNU Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy regions officer Mahn Than Win Oo said, “The 11 Karen sub-tribes recognized by the government include Mon Karen, Sar Phyu and Pa Lay Khee. The Karen people were also enumerated under the sub-tribe list. We have made changes and confirmed them through holding public consultations in states and regions. We will submit the list to [the government] to make it official.”
The list of seven sub-tribes has already been sent to the Kayin (Karen) State government, the state hluttaw and the KNU. It will soon also be sent to the vice presidents, the state counsellor, the Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw Speakers and the secretaries of the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
