The Ethnic Youth Network Group (EYNG), a Thailand based network of Burmese ethnic youth groups, criticized the junta's annual Burmese cultural competition program for a lack of minority ethnic cultural traditions, in an open letter to the junta on October 19.
The EYNG points out that the name "Myanmar" is claimed to be inclusive of all the ethnicities of Burma, not just the dominant Burman ethnic group. While the cultural program is titled "Myanmar", it has only the traditional cultural components of the Burman ethnicity. Members of other ethnic groups are required to perform Burman traditions as if they were their own, rather than their true cultural traditions.
The cultural program is currently being held in Burma's new capital, Kyat Pyay Nay Pyi Daw, and includes competitions in singing, dancing, song-writing, and instrumental performances, all taken from traditional Burman culture. Cultural performances from other ethnic groups are not included in the competition, and EYNG points out that this lack of inclusiveness amounts to cultural domination and an effort to erase other ethnic traditions.
In the letter, members of the EYNG say that they have no objection to the government's promotion of ethnic Burman traditions in the face of foreign cultural invasion, but they also want to see protection of the culture and traditions of ethnic minorities from the invasion of Burman culture.
They demanded that other ethnic cultural traditions be included in the dance. To make other ethnic people perform the Burman traditions as their own is an insult to the other ethnic groups. EYNG, based in Chiang Mai, is an umbrella organization for non-Burman ethnic nationalities youth groups. #
(The Narinjara News wishes its readers, contributors and well-wishers a very happy Eid.)
