Mon Myanmar

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I never thought of Mon as a separate race
They are part and parcel of Burma’s place
We built together Pagan’s pagodas and palaces
The First Burma State was established by both races.

(Ananda Temple in Pagan)

I’m grateful to Shin Arahan for preaching us
Theravada Buddhism from Ari’s cagey caste
That had sexual orgies, defloration and faulty fast
Pagan would not have come out great with such fuss.

(Shin Arahan Statue in Ananda Temple)

Anawrahat saw Arahan’s importance in a moment
He could use the new faith as a powerful potent
People would flock to it as iron filings to a magnet
A new nation would be forged employing their prowess.

(Modern Burma Map)

Anawrahtar was bright in his vision
He was right in his military missions
He had might in all his action and expedition
He succeeded in establishing a new nation.

(Kyanzittha Statue)

Kyanzittha carried out what was left of Anawrahtar
He used Mon artists and artisans in all his endeavors
He finished Shwezigon and built new Ananda
He married a Mon princess and patronized Mon Culture.

(Mon Cultural Dance)

Since then Ramanya Desa has become part of Burma
Mon and Bamar cultures were amalgamated for ever
Mon and Bamar people migrated to each other’s area
“Mon-Bamar” word was coined to reflect the new mixture.

(Mon Boys and Girls in Mon Dress)

There were instances of fighting between the two
Starting with Nga Yahman Kan (Blind Rahman?) of Pegu
Wareru established a new Mon Dynasty after Pagan
Razadarit, Shindagar Ruppi and Shin Saw Pu accrued.

(Shwemawdaw Pagoda,Pegu)

Mon succeeded in ending the NyaungYan-Inwa rule
They came to Ava and tried to subjugate Bamar people
Alaungpaya of Mosobo rose and repelled it for good
He established the third united Burma statehood.

(Shwedagon Pagoda, Symbol of United Burma)

Since then Mon and Bamar can no longer be separated
They live together through thick and thin undifferentiated
Most Mon prefer to be called Bamar as being assimilated
Pe Maung Tin led others to take pride in this asset!

He was first Burmese to be awarded Oxford B Litt
He translated Visuddi Magga from Pali to English
He established in RU a Department of Burmese
He supervised activities and research to make it fit.

(Kyaikkhami Pagoda, Moulmein)

Many Mon took part in anti-Britih activities
U Chit Hlaing led Burma for its political entity
Dr Shaw Lu graduated MD from an American university
U Nar Auk fought against Irrawaddy Flottilla Company.

(Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Pegu)

I remember seeing U Lu Pe Win in Mandalay
He came to see our Saya, a pupil of him, one day
He was such a Burmese gentleman I must say
He said he was writing an answer book for Burmese
To assist his daughter appearing in 1955 Matriculation Exam
We also benefited from his book in our final assessment then.

(Shwethalyaung or Reclining Buddha, Pegu)

Mon joined Aung San for Burma’s independence fight
Thura Mon Htaw as doctor outshone by giving up his life
In the fight against insurgents at Pho-Tha-Aung Height
Union Government was saved from the fall it might.

Many writers and poets in Burmese are of Mon origin
Lexicographer U Tun Nyein and nephew U Pe Maung Tin
Writer Theikpan Maung Wa and poet Min Thu Win
U Sun Tun, Paragu and Dagon Taryar follow in succession.

(Hintha or Drake Weights, Emblem of Mon, Hanthawaddy)

A few Mon still try to maintain their race and identity
They dress and speak their language in daily activity
Some of them even demanded a Mon State as an entity
But, Mon are so assimilated into Bamar that it’s a difficulty
First Burmese Premier U Nu said he was half Mon ethnically
But, he opposed a separate state as it hampers national unity.

(First PM of Burma U Nu)

Of course, Mon has a long history occupying a great area
It covered part of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma
Mon were descendents of the Mon-Khmer Tribe in Southeast Asia
Mon kingdoms flourished in Lower Burma, Thailand and Cambodia.

(Mon-Khmer Kingdoms, Pre-Ankgor)

Some Mon came to Burma from Talingara or Kalingara and Orissa
Hence there is a Burmese term, ‘Talaing” derived from Talingara
Old Mon kingdoms have names like Thuwunnabumi, Hanthawaddy etc
Legend says Taphussa and Balika built Shwedagon during the Buddha’s era.

(Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda)

Similarly an arahant brought Buddh’s hair enshrind in Kyaikhtiyo Cedi
Legend says that Emperor Asoka sent two Arahats to Suwunnabumi
Mon scholars take it Suwunnabumi as Old Thaton City or possibly
It may be situated in Mon State, Malaysia or Thailand’s Dvarawati.

(Mon State Flag)

In Burma, a Mon State was created around Mawlamyaing (Moulmein)
It’s inhabited by Mon, Bamar, Karen, Pa-O and other kind
Pure Mon constitute about 2 to 3 million combined
It’s a dwindling population clinging to have its own style.
It’s their right to maintain their culture, literature and design
Mon is a part of greater Union of Burma since ancient time
Diversity in dress and culture makes a country sublime
Let Mon and Bamar live together in peace and harmony to enjoy.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
5.11.2008 (original)