Ode to the Shan

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

I have a soft spot for Shan since my teenage
I met a Shan girl in my seventh grade
She was tall, smiling, sweet, suave and great
We became close friends and tried to date.

( A Shan Couple)

We never became lovers
We were still youngsters
She was 2 year senior I learned
We parted on the best of terms.

(A Scene of Shan State)

My mother told me of the Shan people
Who lived in the upper reaches of Chindwin River
Like Minking, Mawlight, Khamti, Thongdut and Tamu
They were simple, sweet, friendly, helpful and sincere

(Map Showing Shan Towns in Upper Chindwin)

Then, I learned Burmese history
Many Burmese kings had Shan ancestry
After Pagan was sacked by the Mongol army
Three Shan brothers ruled the country.

( A Map of Shan (Tai) Speaking People)

Burmese history classically begins with Tagaung era
Tagaung was situated in the Shan Desa or area
Legends had it that it was the seat of Shan rulers
Even the name PyuSaoHti denotes Pyu, Shan and Bamar.

Sagaing, Pinya, Inwa were established by Shan kings
Athinkhaya, Thihathu and Thadominbya outstanding
Mingyi Swa Saw Ke was a Shan prince in the beginning
He was elected to rule Burma as the Ava’s king.

(Buffalo Ride in Shan Land)

Actually, there is a tragic side to the Shan in history
King Anawrahta married SaoMonHla from Mao territory
She was banished from Pagan due to jealous conspiracy
She built Shwe Sa Yan Cedi in remembrance to the King
I felt sad on seeing Shwe Sar Yan and “Earring Fall Stream”
Her earring had no black magic but Buddha’s relic sheen.

Many wise Burmese kings nurtured Shan-Bamar Friendship
Mingyi Yan-Naung killed Tho Han Bwa for being evil misfit
He disdained kingship and gave it to Hsipaw Saopha, a Shan
He thus maintained the important Shan-Bamar peace in return.

Kings Bayintnaung, Alaungpaya paid importance to Shan
They gave them oath of loyalty and autonomous run
Since then Shan Sao Phas were loyal to Burmese kingdom
Nyaungshwe Saopha thought retaking captive Thibaw King
From conquering British in an ambush by a lightning swing
It was discouraged for peace and harmony in the region.

(President Sao Shwe Theik on First Independence Day)

During Colonial Days, British divided Shan from Burmese
The cordial relations and warm feelings were frozen indeed
They thought of leaving Shan and frontier areas out of reach
From independence and freedom Bogyoke AungSan preached
Foresight of Aung San and Shan leaders broke their squeeze
The Panglong Conference made it possible for us free in peace
We succeeded electing Sao Shwe Theik first president in need.

(A Shan Couple of Burma)

I have been to the Shan State as a medical officer
I was welcome in the south and north of the area
Shan were peaceful, poor and peasants uninsured
Only Sao Phas and some were stately and secure
But, they did not live like Maha Rajas of India
They were Buddhist Bamar in thought and behaviour
Saw Phas and sons had lived in the Burmese Courts earlier
They liked and encouraged Burmese arts and culture
Only General Ne Win confiscated authority of the Sao Phas
He did also for the properties of Bamas and others
As we all suffered under Ne Win’s Socialism and Dogma
No one can blame Burmese for troubles of present Burma.

(A Shan Dancer)

I like the Shan for their belief and behavior
They are smooth, simple and sincere
They talk the truth even if it hurts them later
They do not know pretexts and Maya
They share their food to all visitors
I have tried Khaw Mont, Mohnyin-chin and Soontan
Dried Shan Peboke (soybean crusts) pickled pork ad librum
It enticed you to eat like hungry crows and ravens in sum.

(Shan Ahlu, a Novitiation Ceremony Procession)

Shan are liberal in marriage
They consent to all for the bondage
If a person is genuine to take their daughters
They hand over them to all suitors
Chinese, Indians, Burmans or other foreigners
We all have single Bamars marrying there.

(Shan Traditional Dance, Keinari-Keinara)

Shan State is thinly populated
There is only about six million inhabited
Plenty of resources remain to be exploited
Gold, silver, gems, platinum and graphite
Forests and hydro power supplement the site.

(Detailed Map of Shan State)

Actually, Shan and Burmans are inseparable
There is a saying telling the invaluable,
“If Shan is pure he has Bamar blood
If Bamar is pure he has Shan stuff!”

Burmese history starts with Tagaung
Meaning a ferry town, a Shan word all along;
The last king of Burma was called Thibaw (Hsipaw)
His mother was a Shan princess born in a Hau
She married King Mindon of all
What else do you wish to recall?

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
1.11.2008 (original)