Introduction to Myanmar Literature
Myanmar has 135 officially recognized ethnic minority groups. They each have their own languages, literature, and cultures. Burmese is the official and common language of Myanmar. Mainstream Myanmar literature is written almost exclusively in the Burmese language. Although Burmese is the common and official language, some ethnic languages are actually older, spanning over a millennium. The philosophy of Buddhism has deeply influenced Myanmar literature because Burmese literature began with translations of the Buddha’s stories. Not only the Burmese but also some other ethnic groups believe in Buddhism, while others follow Christianity or Islam. During the monarchical era, writers created both prose and poetic works. Buddhist monks were also influential in developing Myanmar literature. During the British colonial period, modern literary forms like novels, short stories, and poems were developed by students at Yangon University. They continued to create new forms of Myanmar literature. This major landmark in Myanmar literature was called “Khit San,” which means “Testing the Times” in English. The first Myanmar novel was published in 1904. The first short story was published in a magazine in 1917. Other modern forms of literature continued to develop in the late 1900s.
Political Background
I believe we should also study Myanmar’s political history, as the development of indigenous languages and literature is closely tied to the political situation, peace, and national reconciliation in Myanmar. Throughout history, we have gone through the monarchical era, the colonial era, the post-colonial era, the socialist era, and are now living under a military dictatorship. We shouldn’t forget this history because it has had a huge impact on our social and literary development over a millennium. After gaining independence from the British, Myanmar faced numerous civil wars. The ethnic areas have not had peace since the late 1950s, especially in my country, Myanmar. This conflict has lasted over 70 years. Throughout all this history, indigenous people have not had many opportunities to develop their languages and literature. The government has shown little interest in supporting the development of their languages and literature throughout all these past eras.
Current Situation
The Myanmar government, some NGOs, INGOs, civil society organizations like PEN Myanmar, and the world are now interested in and focused on ethnicity and indigenous issues. I hope this is the best time for us. Currently, ethnic languages can be taught in schools as an extra-curricular activity under government policy. However, there aren’t enough qualified teachers to teach these languages. This is a lack of human resources. According to one of my Shan friends, he said that the next generation can be taught their own ethnic languages, but they lack reading materials. They don’t have any modern literature or translations of classical or contemporary works from other languages. This shows the impoverished state of language and literature in Myanmar. In ethnic majority areas, there are many media outlets, but they use only the Burmese language. This shows there is no space for indigenous languages and literature. However, they are aware that they should create a space for indigenous languages.
My Expectations
My first expectation is for peace in Myanmar. That is the main point for all development. For peace, we also need to promote indigenous languages and literature. If indigenous languages become a part of mainstream literature, we will already have peace because these issues are interrelated.
My second expectation is my belief that this is the beginning for indigenous languages. It is not too late for them, and they are not alone. We now have a huge community. We are not lonely or isolated. Today, at the PEN International congress, we are raising our voices for indigenous languages. This is the beginning.
My third expectation is for our solidarity. We need to show our solidarity to promote and protect literary freedom and indigenous languages.
May I use the slogan of the TLRC meeting in Chiapas: Let’s write our futures in indigenous languages.
Han Sann
3 Oct 2019 | Manila | Philippines
Migrating Languages: From Indigenous to Mainstream
Chair: Hope Yu, Chair (NCCA National Committee on the Literary Arts, Philippines)Howie Severino (GMA7, Philippines), Noel G. de Leon (Kasingkasing Press, Philippines), Han Zaw (PEN Myanmar), Seno Gumira Ajidarma (Indonesia), Jean Fréderic Brun (PEN Occitan)