THE KARENS’ NEW YEAR DAY RECOGNITION BILL, 1937
BILL NO (26) OF 1937
Preamble: - Where it is
expedient to produce this Bill for the recognition of the Karen’s
New Year
Day; It is hereby enacted as follows:-
Short Title 1. (1) This act may be called “The Karen’s New
Year Day Extended and
Recognition
Act of 1937”.
Commencement (2) It shall come into force
on such date as the Governor may be notification,
Specify in this behalf.
Definition :-2. (1) “Karens” means all races, clans or tribes forming part
and parcel of the
Karen people of Burma inspite of
the castes, creeds and religions.
(2) “The Karens’ New Year Days” means
exactly the same as the New Year Day’s of other races, people or nations, which
being the first days of another prosperous year. The Karen New Year Day falls on the first and second day of the
month of THALAY, according to Karen calendar year, corresponding to the first
waxing moon of the month of Pyatho of the Burmese Calendar month. It is in this
month of THALAY (beginning from the first waxing moon of Pyatho) that the Karen begin to build new bamboo
houses, renew or replace old things, etc, ( noticeable in the hilly districts )
for the New Year, These days are recognized by all the Karens every where. Many
religious festivities, such as offerings to Nats, etc., by the heathen Karens;
offerings to Phongyis and going to Kyaungs
or Pagodas for worship by the Buddhist Karens, etc., and thanks giving prayer
services, etc., by the Christian Karens are organized on a big scale by all
classes of Karens’ according to their religious beliefs, In facts, the Days
being the greatest gala days annals of Karens’ history.
Statement of objects and reasons.
In has always been the policy of the
British Government to preserve the ancient customs of their subject-race and
also recognize their Holy and Sacred Days. We, therefore, also see that in
Burma the Non-Indigenous races such as Indians, the Chinese, the Europeans,
etc., have brought with them to this land of our their Holy and Sacred Days
with the British Government have acceded public recognition by giving public
holidays. The Karens, though being the second most important indigenous race of
Burma, have not been accorded any Holy and Sacred Days.
It is indeed a matter or great that though
attempts have been made by Karen Leaders and elders representing the matter in
question to the Government, it does not seem to carry conviction or successfully
attract the attention of Government, It is also deplorable to mention that the
characteristic traits of the Karens as a quiet, peaceful law abiding and very
loyal subject races’; Once a great asset to them and highly acclaimed by the
British Government are now but matter of the past.
And at this stage of their National
awakening, the Karens find themselves unpopular and unknown everywhere. Their aspirations,
legitimate rights and claims have, from time to time, either being ignored or
turned down. Now to preserve their traditional custom the karens of their
present generation, in New Burma under the new Constitution claim for an equal
status with others as being also a very important race, by placing before the
Government the recognition of their rights and privileges.
The recognition, therefore, of the Karen
New Year Days, being the first and second THALAY month, corresponding with the
first and second day of Burmese Pyatho, will be but the recognition of the
Karens as the second important Burmese race and also the recognition of their
past and present services to the Government. By preserving the ancient customs
and ceremonies of a race, it does not necessarily mean to distinguish or set
apart one race from the another.
No question of racial discrimination,
therefore arises. The Karens in Burma is also a Burmese by race and is also
known the same outside.
The Karens only want ancient customs,
etc., to be respected in as much as they have respected others’. For this sole
purpose, this Bill is introduced and sincerely hope an enthusiastic support
from their Burmese members and son of the soil and brothers of the same land.
Johnson D. Po Min
Member of the House of Representatives
Toungoo (Karen)
Toungoo,
2nd August, 1937
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