Ode to Arakan

(A Tribute to the Arakanese)

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

I like Arakanese people and leaders
I was taught by Arakanese teachers
In early high school and varsity years
Arakanese are able, eloquent and eager.

(Mrauk U)

I was first introduced to the Arakanese early
With Rakhaing Mont-tee and Arpu-sharpu in fifties
My father took us to the Arakanese Thungran Party
We splashed water across boat, danced and dallied.

(Arakanese Couple)

They spoke a language akin to Burmese
I could understand a few words or in piece
My teacher told me it was a Burmese dialect
Arakanese belong to the Tibeto-Burman sect.

(Map of Burma and Arakan or Rakhine Pri)

Then, I learned Anawrahta married a princess of Vesali
It was supposed to be an old city of Arakanese Dynasty
King Kyanzittha gave his son Razakumar part Rakhaing Pri
He was late in coming to claim the Pagan Monarchy.

Alaungsithu was given the Regent since infancy
He became a great king worshipping the Mahamuni
On his way to India for Bodh Gaya itinerary
He visited Arakan as a sign of respect and regency.

(Htukkathein Mrauk U)

Arakanese boasted a long history of liberty
Until Bodawphaya annexed it in late 18th century
Rakhine and Bama became one after that hegemony
We suffered together under the British as a colony.

(Kothaung Pagoda,Mrauk U)

U Ottama preached for Burma’s independence
He was the first to educate the British dependents
As all the Burmese on those days were somnolent
They were enjoying as British docile servants.

(Kaladan River at Sittwe)

U Seindar and others started anti-Japanese resistance
Long before General Aung San’s anti-Fascist movement
U Aung Zan Wai participated in Aung San Government
Rahine and Bama were united for Burma’s independence.

(Arakan underthe British)

Arakanese students studied in Rangoon University
I found them bold, boisterous, burly and brotherly
The Mandalay Hall was their focus of fraternity
I shared it with them for my premedical studies.

I was taught by many Arakanese teachers in study
From Burmese through anatomy pathology to Surgery
Drs Shwe Zan and Shwe Ban were notable personalities
Professors KyawMaung and SawMraAung were luminaries.

(Arakanese Dobat Troupe)

The Arakanese share us their food and habits
They are kind, but clannish, cooperative and cohesive
They maintain their culture and identity in all activities
They do it without rendering others in jeopardy.

(Arakanese Traditional Dance)

I have been to Arakan long time ago with my fiancée
We flew over Arakan Yoma and passed famous cities
In our trip to Ngapali visiting Kyauk-phu and Site-Tway
There was only one plane flying to all of Rakhine that day.

(Sittwe or Site Tway City)

We visited Sandwe town and market on that day
We ate Rakhine Mont-tee and meal with NgaShwe (fish)
We swam and sipped coconut juice at the balmy beach
We did not sunbathe but frolicked in the shaded niche.

(Ngapali Beach)

Ngapali is well known to the Burmese and foreigners
We met some German and British couples on tour
They swam, they spoke and they shared their views
They wanted to hear how much of the world we knew.

(Mahamuni Buddha at Mandalay)

Arakan is rich with resources and relics of antiquity
Maurice Collis called it the Land of Great Image tapestry
Myo Haung Mrauk-U and Sandwe are still showing history
Old pagodas, palaces and statues abound in the country
Mahamuni Statue is the most famous Arakanese property
We are fortunate to see in Mandalay without difficulty.

(Myo Haung Mrauk U)

We cannot differentiate Arakanese easily from Burmese
Both physical features and habits are identical in each
There are only about 2 million Arakanese in Myanmar
But, they contribute to the Union more than their number
There are Arakanese in Burma Army from general to soldier
They occupy high positions in education, medicine et cetera
It’s difficult to think of a Burma without Arakan ever
Rakhine and Bamar are indeed born and bred together in Burma.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
4.11,2008 (original)