#shan state

[mothmiso]

Myanmar (2) by Achim

Via Flickr:

(1) The Popa Taungkalat (Taung Kalat) Shrine is home to 37 Mahagiri Nats or spirits. It can be reached by 777 steps. (2) Gardener in the beautiful garden of Amara Resort, Kalaw.    

[cant-we-blame-niall-or-something]

The ancient Kakku Pagodas, Shan State, Myanmar

[life-globe-blog]

People buy goods from vendors at a floating market held on boats at Inle Lake in Myanmar's Shan State Photograph: Wai Min Phyoe/AFP via Getty Images

[aliceoconnell]

The ancient Kakku Pagodas, Shan State, Myanmar

[partnersrelief]

What is freedom?

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Nelson Mandela

Freedom is a term I’ve been pondering recently. Partners Relief & Development’s mission statement is to provide “Free, full lives for children affected by conflict and oppression”. But what does freedom actually mean? What does freedom actually look like?

Perhaps for you, freedom is not being restricted by something. That could look like being able to rely on your tap producing clean water- or having a car that you can use to get from A to B. Perhaps freedom is being able to do what you want or knowing that you are safe walking down the road. 

For some, freedom is having education or being able to travel. For those who have experience with physical or mental difficulties- maybe freedom is having use of their limbs, or not being trapped in their thoughts.

In the West, there is an emphasis around a person’s right to individual freedom. But having talked to my students and friends, I have realized that is not everybody’s definition or experience of freedom.

Presently, the Burmese government is trying to change the names of ethnic states to Burmese names. They do not allow people to speak their own ethnic language in government schools. For the Shan, the Burmese government dictates what they can study at university- if they are even able to get enough education and money to attend. Their land rights are being abused, and they have been driven out of their villages. 

Having come from Aotearoa New Zealand, it makes me sad as it echoes colonial practices- which as we have seen around the world, can have terrible effects on people’s freedoms and lives for generations.

The ethnic minorities of Burma are fighting for the freedom of their people. They fight for the freedom to be self-governing, to live at peace, and to speak their own language. 

However, fighting for State freedom comes at the sacrifice of individual and family freedoms. Families are required to provide soldiers to fight in the war effort- young adults are required to sacrifice their individual freedom for what is believed to be best for the State.

Recently, we were able to provide sessions with the students at the medical trainings to learn more about who they are as individuals, family members and what their culture means to them. We asked them to discuss what they are proud of about their culture and to act out their cultural stories. We encouraged them to make snowflakes to remind them that like a snowflake, they are unique and significant.

For some, steps to freedom include making snowflakes to strengthen ideas of identity and significance, or telling their traditional folk tales and learning lessons from their past. Maybe it involves developing a greater understanding of their cultural identity, so that despite the effort of others to erase them, they are able to stand proud of who they are.

Katie is a Kiwi who has been with Partners for a year as their mental-health coordinator. She loves being able to teach people about mental health and has recently been doing this at Partner's Shan health project. She loves empowering people, baby animals, and chocolate.

[emphatic-nomadic]

Views from the Inle Lake Trek in Shan State, Burma

[j-k-i-ng]

“Inle Lake, Myanmar“ by | Vince Lim

[jzaphotography]

Shwe Indein Pagoda, Inle Lake See More at jza.photography