• Burmese
Friday, May 23, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Burma Govt Shows Illusion of Diversity at Asia Summit 

Esther Htusan by Esther Htusan
November 14, 2014
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Burma Govt Shows Illusion of Diversity at Asia Summit 

Burmese students wearing costumes representing Burma’s different ethnic groups welcome delegates as they arrive for the 25th ASEAN Summit in Naypyidaw November 13

5.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

NAYPYIDAW — Women welcoming world leaders stood in rows, colorfully clad in costumes representing Burma’s many ethnic groups, some with their hair tied in high knots or wrapped in red headdresses, others donning horizontally striped longyis and silver coin-studded capes.

But the ushers — all university students bused in for the event — did not belong to any of the minority groups they represented.

All were Burman, the ethnic majority that has dominated the government, military and economy since independence from Britain in 1948.

RelatedPosts

JFM: 12 ASEAN Billionaires Fueling Myanmar Junta Terror Campaign

JFM: 12 ASEAN Billionaires Fueling Myanmar Junta Terror Campaign

May 13, 2025
1.7k
What Should Anwar and ASEAN Do About Myanmar?

What Should Anwar and ASEAN Do About Myanmar?

May 8, 2025
1k
Junta Boss Rebukes Critics as Military Disquiet Grows; Crony Jerry-Builders Told to Repair Naypyitaw; and More

Junta Boss Rebukes Critics as Military Disquiet Grows; Crony Jerry-Builders Told to Repair Naypyitaw; and More

May 3, 2025
1.4k

Burma, a predominantly Buddhist nation of 50 million, began transitioning to democracy in 2011 following a half-century of brutal military rule and self-imposed isolation. But while 40 percent of the population belongs to one of more than 130 ethnic minorities, efforts by the new, nominally civilian government to project unity often falter, or expose differences instead.

Take Naypyidaw, a city that claims to have a population of 1.3 million, where this week’s meetings were held.

Carved from the jungles and purpose-built as Burma’s new capital, it is dotted by impressive stadiums, enormous meeting halls and hundreds of villas for visiting VIPs that seem incongruous in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Gilded pagodas abound, but there is not a single church, even though 80,000 residents are Christian.

There are also 58 Christian members of Parliament, but the closest service for them to attend is in an old, rural church 30 kilometers (20 miles) away.

The government was transferred almost overnight to Naypyidaw in 2005 from the largest city, Rangoon, 320 kilometers (200 miles) away, thousands of civil servants packing up their belongings and moving with it.

Ethnic parliamentarians are given stark, barely furnished rooms in government-style barracks separate from the more luxurious residences of ruling party lawmakers, and they wear traditional attire representing their home communities, bear claws, feathers and all.

When world leaders gathered behind closed doors Thursday to talk about security threats and economics, 30 young women who had greeted them upon arrival took advantage of downtime to snack and rest in their lounge.

When asked their ethnicity, one-by-one each woman said Burmese.

A young woman who wore a long brass neck coil when in the welcoming line was suddenly without her adornment.

Asked where it was, she looked offended: “Oh, that’s fake! Did you think I was really Kayan Padaung?”

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Asean
Esther Htusan

Esther Htusan

The Associated Press

Similar Picks:

Singapore Called On to Stop Feeding Myanmar Junta’s War Machine
Myanmar’s Crisis & the World

Singapore Called On to Stop Feeding Myanmar Junta’s War Machine

by The Irrawaddy
August 24, 2023
10.2k

Over 200 civil society organizations demand that city-state block regime’s access to arms, dual-use goods, technology and funds.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Causes Thailand Problems
Guest Column

Myanmar Junta Causes Thailand Problems

by Paul Greening
March 7, 2024
6.8k

The multiple crises on Thailand’s border sparked by the Myanmar junta’s failed coup could present opportunities for Bangkok, but so...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar and the Death of ASEAN
Guest Column

Myanmar and the Death of ASEAN

by Bertil Lintner
August 29, 2023
6.3k

With the bloc’s future looking shaky due to its inability to handle the Myanmar crisis, China is securing its place...

Read moreDetails
Thailand Sentences 7 to Jail for Protesting Myanmar Coup
Myanmar’s Crisis & the World

Thailand Sentences 7 to Jail for Protesting Myanmar Coup

by The Irrawaddy
August 24, 2023
4.4k

Neighboring country maintains strong relations with junta despite widespread atrocities and killing of over 4,000 opponents.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Spring Revolution Must Open Two New Fronts to Oust Junta
Guest Column

Myanmar’s Spring Revolution Must Open Two New Fronts to Oust Junta

by Igor Blazevic
December 14, 2023
4.4k

Launch of political and diplomatic offensives is urgent if the National Unity Government and ethnic armed allies are to retain...

Read moreDetails
ASEAN Urged to Stop Calling For ‘Inclusive Talks’ Between Myanmar Junta and Its Victims
Myanmar’s Crisis & the World

ASEAN Urged to Stop Calling For ‘Inclusive Talks’ Between Myanmar Junta and Its Victims

by The Irrawaddy
December 2, 2023
4.4k

More than 600 civil society groups issue joint statement calling on the regional bloc to respect the will of Myanmar...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Obama Optimistic on Change in Burma

Obama Optimistic on Change in Burma, More Work to be Done

China Offers Asean Friendship

China Offers Asean Friendship, Loans as South China Sea Tension Bubbles

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Three Japanese Firms Ditch Myanmar Port Project

Three Japanese Firms Ditch Myanmar Port Project

1 week ago
4.4k
Kokang’s New Power Play: Economic Integration With China

Kokang’s New Power Play: Economic Integration With China

2 days ago
1.2k

Most Read

  • Adidas Shoe Factory Agrees to Striking Workers’ Demands

    Adidas Shoe Factory Agrees to Striking Workers’ Demands

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Indian Troops Killed Myanmar Resistance Fighters to Send a Message’

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • India Asked to Probe Myanmar Rebel Deaths

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Myanmar Junta Choppers Down in Battle for Kachin’s Bhamo

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Drone Strike Destroys Myanmar Junta’s Crash-Landed Aircraft

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.