No.10 - 02/2006
17 February 2006

Politics

Shan national day in a sorry state

By Arntai Khaikhanfah

 

If our country had independence, freedom and democracy, the celebration of a great national day might not have been organized the way it was.

These words might occur to several people who have no freedom to organize either their National day or New Year. This is especially true for ethnic nationalities in Burma. Each time, the celebrations of their important days have to be held under restrictions.

On 7 February 2006, the 59th anniversary of Shan National Day, the celebrations were held in Shan State and in several countries where there are Shan people such as China, India, Japan, Thailand, England and Sri Lanka. But the event was simple, just liked an ordinary day.

Especially in Shan State, the Rangoon authorities had forbidden the use of the term Shan National Day, and ordered the use of Shan State Nationalities Cultural Variety Show instead.  The celebration organized in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai wasn’t even lively. And it was unfortunate because most of ethnic-Shan youth couldn’t even remember what day it was. Some might have known but didn’t get the opportunity to take part in the celebrations.

On the morning of February 7, when I walked past a construction site near my flat, there was a couple of Shans sitting on the sand heap with their ragged clothes waiting for work. I stopped and talked to them as usual. I asked them about the Shan National Day,and they said, “We know what today is, but we can’t stop our work”. I asked why and they replied, “Our employer said this project has to be completed within this month”.  

Shan National Day or Shan State Day began on 7 February 1947, when the 34 Shan princes and representatives joined hands to demand independence from British. Khun Pan Zing [The Palaung] prince of Namhsan and President of the Shan States Council assigned a flag of four colours: yellow, green, and red and a white circle in the middle and an anthem for the people of Shan State.   

In northern Thailand, Chiang Mai province, Shan youth also organized a celebration. Some 40 youths participated, including Shan, Kachin, Pa-O and Wa nationalities. Most of them came from Shan State and have been working in Thailand. Although the celebration wasn’t perfect, it brought smiles on the faces, happiness and unity among them. There were also some competitions and small prizes were given to the winners.  

In the evening, the participants together had a meal of Shan food including roasted pork in the obscure light, and joyfully talked in different languages. But warnings to be quiet were sounded and if anyone wanted to sing they had to move into the basement whether because of the security or neighbours getting annoyed, is difficult to answer…        

However, a senior Shan leader who was invited to the party said to all those who attended… “Today, if Khun Parn Zing and all our ancestors’ spirits know what we are doing, how proud they would be, to learn we are still united….”

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