What is the conflict in Myanmar?

The Rohingya conflict is an ongoing conflict in the northern part of Myanmar’s Rakhine State (formerly known as Arakan), characterised by sectarian violence between the Rohingya Muslim and Rakhine Buddhist communities, a military crackdown on Rohingya civilians by Myanmar’s security forces, and militant attacks by …

Why are Karen people refugees?

Many Karen who emigrate are refugees as a result of violence in their homeland. Many come either from their traditional homeland of Kawthoolei in Myanmar or from refugee camps in Thailand. The growth of Karen Americans is part of the larger growth of Burmese Americans in the United States.

Who made Karen flag?

The current Karen flag was first made by one of the Karen rebel groups fighting against Burma’s ruling military government. [1] It is a uniting symbol for many Karen people.

What do Karen people wear?

The type of traditional clothing worn by men and women varies on marital status: Karen men wear a longyi and a sleeveless shirt (usually red) or a white say plo (men’s dress). Unmarried Karen women wear a long white dress. Married Karen women wear a sarong and sleeveless shirt (usually black).

What is the internal conflict in Myanmar?

Internal conflict in Myanmar. The Karen conflict is an armed conflict in Kayin State, Myanmar (formerly known as Karen State, Burma). The conflict has been described as one of the world’s “longest running civil wars”. Karen nationalists have been fighting for an independent state known as Kawthoolei since 1949.

What happened to the Karen minority in Myanmar?

The newly formed government established parliamentary rule, but leftist groups such as the Communist Party of Burma and the Karen National Union, which represented the Karen minority in Myanmar, believed that they and other ethnic groups were being excluded from government involvement.

What is the history of the Karen conflict?

The outbreak of the Karen conflict has its roots in the British colonial era. In the nineteenth century certain Karen hill tribes were Christianized by American missionaries. During the conquering of Burma in the nineteenth century the British made use of the existing antagonism between Burmans and Karens.

What happened to the Karens after the British conquered Burma?

Some Karen fled to areas now occupied by the British or put up some form of resistance. After the British conquered the territory which was to be the future state of Burma the British colonial state had a hard time pacifying the country. Burmese resisted the authority of the colonial state on a continual basis.