Akha Christians celebrate centennial

No.01 - 4/2007
1 April 2007
Culture/ General
 
Akha Christians celebrate centennial
 
Akhas, the most numerous and widely distributed hill tribes of eastern Shan State, according to J.G Scott "Scott of Shan Hills", are marking their conversion to Christianity in 1907, report sources from the border.
 
The 4-day festival, 29 March – 1 April, is being held at the village of Zion in Mongkoe tract, Tachilek township. The event is organized by the Akha Baptist League, based in Kengtung.
 
Thousands of Christians from both sides of the border are taking part in the celebrations. "The only problem is that the local Burmese authorities have refused to allow those coming from Thailand to stay overnight", said an Akha resident. "So they can come only in the morning and go back in the evening".
 
The authorities' inflexibility could be due to the ongoing tension along the border between the two countries, according to a member of the Burma Army-backed Akha militia led by Ah Her and Ah Htoo. "Besides, those under 25 from other townships are not allowed to come", he added, "saying they could take advantage of the event to cross illegally into Thailand to find work. That's a lot of khi ma (dog shit). Who needs a centennial to cross the border?"
 
The first Akhas converted were recorded as Khawng Day and his two sisters Khawng Su and Khawng Hpo, who were slaves bought and freed by a Baptist missionary. They were baptized by a Karen minister Hpo Tun at the village of Khahtaw in Mongyawng township, 157km northeast of Tachilek. As for Tachilek township itself, the first Baptist mission was said to have been founded in 1929 by Reverend Tun Kyaw and Naw Mary.
 
Lahus and Shans have already marked their centennials, the former in 2004 and the latter last year.