Archive for August, 2010

My life: my various jobs

August 17, 2010

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Since from getting my license, I have been practising but I have held many jobs and here is my career history in my CV, the earliest one at the bottom:

1999 Oct-Present Doctor / Safety, Myanmar Petroleum Resources Limited, Mann Oil Field.

1998 Apr-1999 Oct Doctor / Safety, Baker Hughes Solutions, Mann Oil Field.

1997 Aug-98 Apr Rig Doctor / Medic, Marine Drilling Company,

Yadana Gas Field (offshore), TOTAL.

1996 Oct-97 May       Ship’s Doctor, ms Road to Mandalay (Cruise Ship),Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd.

1995-1996 Medical Officer (Resident),Bahosi Medical Center (Hospital), Yangon.

1994-1995 Camp Doctor, Kayah Phoo Enterprises (Timber Extraction Company)

1993-1994 Camp Doctor, Kokang Aung Than Lwin Company (Jade Mining)

1992 Rig Doctor / Medic, Deutag Friesland Drilling B. V.,Ley Myet Hna Well I, Croft Petroleum.

1990-1991 Field Doctor, BHP-Petroleum.

_Geology Field Party

_Access road construction camp (Pacific American Engineering)

_Kawliya I well site (Parker Drilling Company)

1979-1990 General Practitioner, Yangon.

Demonstrator, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medicine I, Yangon.

1978 Medical Officer, Myaungmya Jute Mill Construction Project.

At the time I got Sama / licence to practice, I had to wait for 3 years to be employed by the Health Department. I had to wait to apply for AS and then wait some time for the written PPSC entrance examination, then wait till called for viva voce. In the meantime, I first worked at the Myaungmya Jute Mill Construction Project. I got the job through my friend Khin Zaw, now Col., Orthopaedic surgeon, whose father was a big shot in the Construction Department and an acquiantance of my father. There were several projects and I was sent to Myaungmya Jute Mill Construction, and it is just as well because the ACE there is my cousin ma ma Kyi’s husand. Both of them were very good to me and I lived at their house in Myaungmya, going to the site on mornings and returning in the evenings on bicycle.

Afterwards, I practiced in Yangon while waiting for my posting. I got married in the meantime and as I had post graduate ambitions and as we did not want to be separated at different postings, Pyone did not apply for government service. However, since 1991, I have been away from home frequently on my different jobs for the past 20 years, sometimes for over 6 months on a stretch with no contact except for the letters we wrote to each other. We had piles of letters of those times which were the most difficult times of my life.

NW Luyechun camp MO 1982 01

while I was demonstrator of Pharmacology Department, I was sent as M.O. with the 1982 Luyechuns to the Shwe War Chaing Luyechun Camp

it was a very good experience for me although I had been nearby at the Strand Sandoway next door when I was about 12 years age with my parents

my classmate and friend Hnin Hsi Kyin was also there as female M.O. (maybe the authorities feel that a female doctor is essential for the modesty of girl Luyechuns)

one day we went on a walk along the beach to Gyeiktaw on a marine biology excursion

although only those near the marine biology lecturer see and hear anything about the marine life found on the beach, it was good exercise for everyone

the food at the Shwe War Chaing Luyechun Camp was very good with large chunks of beef and chicken, thanks to the efforts of the Deputy Camp Commander, the Head of the Pyay TTC who brought his chef with him

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The Mermaid at Ngapali 1982

while I was at the Shwe War Chaing Luyechun Camp, I got the opportunity to visit the Mermaid at Ngapali

a teacher from the Kyauktaw Agriculture School arranged with is friend to visit this statue in the security area

there was a group photo with all others including Hnin Hsi Kyin, but I cannot find it anymore

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Zeya 60, Phaunggyi, SRP, 1983

I was in the Mandarli platoon of the Zeya 60

it means not a duck nor a chicken ဘဲမဟုတ္ ၾကက္မဟုတ္

we attended with the women’s platoon of Zeya 60

at the rear of them

with orders not to make any contact with them

of course it is easily broken

but I was not one of them

I saw to my amusement several I knew

Rosie Lou, younger sister of my friend and rowing mate Victor Khin Thein

my friend Nellie’s younger sister

and their friends

there must be about 15 female doctors

Rosie knew me from our rowing days, but she did not give any indication she saw or recognized me

and I did the same

Nellie’s sister did not know me of course

one of them who was noticable later was transferred to my Department of Physiology; Cho Cho Yu Mon

the KaTha ကသ 60 was a tall stout one and we named her: ChaukHse ka chauk-hse

although the morning exercises, parade and physical duties were harsh, it was good for our health

the food was not so bad (maybe I am not choosy and can eat however poor the curry is; even our BC, who secretly brings in curry complimented near the end of our course on my ability to eat what was offered, even the boiled duck egg curry on Sunday dinner)

it is my childhood training by my parents and my attitude not to break rules unless it is absolutely necessary

there was only 1 other doctor in my platoon

Maung Maung Aung, of the ’78 batch

his elder sister Win Win Aung was my classmate but I have never talked to her

another is ko Nyunt Aung, then AE of MOGE, Myanaung oil field is now here in Mann oil field as STE Senior Transport Engineer

he was together with my aquaintance ko Than Htut (Linn Hsay-tit) at the LeyTaung test well in KyaukPhyu

there, they came across the local “Pwe Phauk” festival

this photo was taken during our SRP short range patrol

LRPs were no longer done anymore at the time

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Physiology class IM-1 1983

I was a demonstrator in the Physiology Department IM-1 from 1981 to 1987. In the meantime, I was posted to the Pharmacology Department for a year.

I entered government service because of my post graduate study ambition and thought I would be posted in the Health Department at hospitals. But I was given a teaching which was fine for me and my family. I had lots of free time to study, but I could not, after being away from studies for about 5 years.

I was resigned to be a life long demonstrator, but the Department of Medical Education changed its policy and transferred out to the Health department those who did not attend post graduate studies in their respective departments, thereby showing poor interest and less dedication to the Department. This led to my decision to resign and I got released in 1887

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BHPP Shwesettaw trip 1992

I worked with the BHP-Petroleum for 2 years

the first season, I went along with their Geology Field Party on 4 wheelers to the Bago Yomas from Zaungtu, Chaungwa on the Bago hills, to Thargaya

the next season, it was with helicopters from PyinPoneGyi to Nyaungbinthar near Phyuu

during the 2 Field Parties, I went along to Shwesettaw field trip

this photo was taken on the Z-craft crossing the Ayeyarwaddy at Magway – Htauksharbin

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I worked at the NanSiBum jade mines for over a year

It lies about 30 miles southeast of Khamti, about midway between Khamti and Pharkant. Although it is in Khamti township and Sagaing division, the geological structure is part of the jade producing deposits around Pharkant

I first got there towards the end of the Hot season, beginning of the Rainy season, when the whole jade mines is closed down for the duration of rainy season. The LaoPan decided to make use of the rains to excavate his mines and to save time. But to the dismay of all, the rains were too much and work did not progress as expected. The communication was quite difficult although when I got there the first time, the road has been just finished and I got to the mines on the company jeep. My predecessor, my friend Dr. Aung Htay had to go by boat and on foot

After the rains came, the road became impassable and our only contact with the outside world was by boat from Khamti

I stayed there for 6 months during the whole rainy season without phone contact with home. I wrote lengthy letters, a page here, a page there, and send them in a small packet whenever there is a boat to Khamti.

Only once during those 6 months did I get to Khamti for a overnight stay to make a phone call home.

I encountered many malaria cases including myself, as I did not take any prophylaxis, and I cured several cerebral malaria cases, who, without my presence there, would not make it to Khamti and proper medical care in time.

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Nansibon jade mines 1994

The mine where I worked is owned by a Kokang family and it is the first time I got in direct contact with Kokangs. Previously, I knew of a Kokang dentist, my contemporary and classmate of Pyone, Wendy. I have seen Wendy around the LeikKhone campus of my Institute of Medicine I, Rangoon while I was in the 1st M.B.,B.S. classes. She attended Dental classes and is a close friend of Ada, who was my friend Zaw Tun Maung’s fiancée. I had heard of Wendy being a daughter of a Kokang Sawbwa, but did not take any more thoughts about it until I got to the Nansibum jade mines.

The Kokangs are descendents of the group that accompanied the deposed Chinese emperor Yone Hli who reached Ava and was allowed to stay after the Manchus took over the country. Later, when the Chinese government asked for extradition, Yone Hli was given back and once in Yunnan, he was killed. His followers returned to a no man’s land between China and Myanmar in the hills and forests. They speak a dialect more similar to Mandarin and are separate from the Yunnanese.

Many mine workers are from the Kokang area although there are also many who were recruited in Mogok and came from all over Myanmar

the blocks are 200 x 200 ft and the company operates several blocks

they dug large open holes down to the jade containing conglomerate layers which are interspersed with sand layers

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Chinese new year dinner at Nansibum camp

one of the rare occasions where there was plenty food

the friends of the Lao Pan and managers are mostly Yunnanese

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Bago Yoma timber extraction road, Kayah Phoo Enterprises

this time, I worked for a Loikaw based Kayah Phoo timber extraction company and got back to the old haunts I got to during my BHP-P days

most staff are from Loikaw and consists of Kayah, Karen and Bamars

a Karen guide is very good

he is a hunter and walked over 50 miles in the Bago Yoma jungles without the benefit of any map and reached his destination

I would have been lost within half an hour

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Road to Mandalay

when my friend on the Road to Mandalay took leave and went on a pilgrimage, he left me as replacement

later he got a job in Yangon and I got his job

it was a new experience, being with tours and on a ship, which had been my first passion

and with weekly trips to go around Bagan too

I had to wear the uniform of a ship’s doctor which most guests do not recognize, but the Japanese knew at once

I wore the proper and correct red epaulets of the ship’s doctor during receptions instead of the gold of the regular deck and engine officers that I usually wore

I also liked wearing uniforms and I have been wearing uniforms here for the past 8 years or so

the Road to Mandalay docked at ShweKyetYet at Mandalay and it goes down once a week to Bagan with tours in Mandalay and Bagan for 2 groups a week

the return trip takes 4 days whereas the down trip takes 3 days

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I took this photo when tours were made for Myanmars

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the clinic is on the opposite side of the aisle

this deck is below water level, up to about 3 ft

the windows are just above the water level and are kept closed and water tight

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the deck and engineering crew were working

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I went along on tours to keep me occupied

but I had to wear uniform

otherwise, I could not enter any areas where guests go

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M-305 Marine Drilling jackup rig helideck 1998

my only job with offshore rig although I have been with 2 land rigs earlier and many since

it was at the Yadana gas field operated by Total, a French oil company

18 wells, 2 vertical and 16 horizontal, at 2 platforms were drilled

I left the rig before all 18 wells were finished to join my current job

while I was on duty there, General Maung Aye and Secretary-1 Khin Nyunt came with only a few of aides

a group photo was taken with the crew but I was not in it as the rig superintendent asked me to take photos with his camera

I was within a few feet of the generals for a few minutes as they passed along inside the rig

Gen. Mg Aye did not say anything within my earshot, but S-1 talked with several Myanmar crew in front of me

it was a memorable moment in my life

being within arm’s length of the nation’s leaders

previously I had been only within about 100 yards of the President Mann Win Maung one Independence Day when he returned from the BoShu Thabin to his residence inside the Thamada compound

he was in an open car with horsemen in full dress uniform as escorts and I was on the Ahlone road near the Khayaepin road entrance gate

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Malae and Sanpaenago

August 17, 2010

On my return from Tagaung last November, I reached Malae unexpectedly.

The ShutPyay from Katha reached Tagaung only at 11:00 instead of the usual 10:00. The lateness was due to being grounded on shallow sandbanks twice. On the way from Tagaung to Mandalay, we grounded twice again. The first time, we got off after about 20 minutes efforts by the crew and the passengers by pulling the anchor rope and pushing with poles. The second time it was not so easy and some of us had to get down and push the boat. Finally it got off the bank and we got to Malae late at 3 pm instead of the usual 1 pm. Malae is the place where the passengers has lunch and the the passengers who had not brought their lunch had a very late lunch.

Malae is opposite SanPaeNaGo. These 2 palces existed from ancient times and are still inhabited. Both are large villages and looked prosperous. There is even a phone service at Malae. Handphones are available there and passengers can phone from the river bank. They are situated on the northern end of the 3rd Ayeyarwaddy defile / myitkyinn.

Burmese saying / Sagapone စကားပုံ

Nyaung Oo KannParr Pyo ေညာင္ဦးကမ္းပါးျပိဳ

SanPaeNaGo ga NaMa Paung Kyoe ႏြားမေပါင္က်ိဳး

It is used whenever one gives excuses that are not applicable.

SanPae NaGo is far to the north of Mandalay, beyond ThabeikKyinn whereas Nyaung Oo is quite downriver in middle Myanmar

This saying must have appeared because at the time, SanPae NaGo was the outpost of the Bagan nation, the furthest from Bagan, although later, it extended to Tagaung and beyond up to Ngasaunggyan if not more and Malae is on its opposite bank.

There is also mention about Malae in the chronicles about Male since the time of king Binnaka of Tagaung and also in the Chinese chronicles about the Battle of Ngasaunggyan

Mention about Malae in the Myanmar Chronicles

The ancient history books said that the people of the Thaki race entered Tagaung region twice in two droves. The first drove led by Abhiraja arrived at the region before the Buddha attained the enlightenment. The second drove was under the leadership of Dhajaraja (Thado Jabudipa Dhajaraja title holder).

The first dynasty of Abhiraja ruled the city till its 33rd king, Binnaka. Tar Tars from China invaded and destroyed the city during the reign of King Binnaka. Binnaka and his followers retreated to the mouth of Meza River (Male) and later, split into three groups. When the Tar Tars left the city, the group led by Queen Naga Hsein stayed behind in Male region, while another group migrated to the place where the Ayeyawady met Shweli, and founded Kanthida town. The last group moved to Hanlin region in Legaing, Thuna Pantrara state, and settled there. We can assume that in this way, the people of the first Tagaung dynasty started to settle at places around the upper Myanmar. When the king of Tagaung attacked the Kanthida of the group led by Binnaka later, the group fled to the upper reaches of Shweli River and built Mongmao town there. The group again went upstream the river and set up Kyainghon (the ruined town located north of Bahe village in Mabein Township). The group organized and ruled the Yunnanese who fled their homeland for Myanmar for fear of the Tar Tars. The Binnaka group set up a city state comprising 19 districts in the region located in the southern upper reaches of Shweli River. Those who resided in the area were called Binnaka Shans.

The second drove of the people of Thaki race led by Dhajaraja entered Myanmar after the enlightenment of Buddha. It is likely that Buddhism also arrived at Myanmar together with the second drove of Thaki race. When Dhajaraja arrived at Male region, he met and married Queen Naga Hsein, formed alliance with her group, and settled in Tagaung region. As Tagaung was burnt-out town then, he set up the royal seat at the Pyu-gama (Bagan) of the Pyu race. The dynasty ruled the city till its 17th king, Thado Maha Raja. Thado Naga Naing or Maung Pauk Kyaing was the ninth king.

Mention about Malae in the Chinese chronicles in their description about the Battle of Ngasaunggyan

Anantapicci and Yantapicci tried to stop the enemies whotried to cross the Irrawaddy river from Bhamo in 1283. For 3 months they killed everyone including attendents employed in feeding elephants and horses who came up their side of the river. Wave afterwave of U Ti Bwa’s men came and were killed. From sheer exhaustion, the Burmese could do nothing at last and the enemy finally succeeded in crossing over the river and Ngasaunggyan fell Dec-1283. The Burmese were able to prevent the Chinese from crossing the ShweLi river for 3 months. Mongols took Ngasaunggyan 3-Dec-1283. Kaungsin, administrative centre of northern Burma, fell 9-Dec.

Tagaung was taken Jan-1284. Northern Burma became a Chinese province of Cheng-mien.

The Burmans did not yeild easily. Quduq Tamar’s army for invasion of Mien encountered the rebels and was routed 1284. Reinforcements were sent and it was reported that peoples minds were wavering.

Yunnan reported in 1285 that they have not yet had time to invade Mien. King Narapati sent a peace mission.

King Narapati evacuated Bagan and fled to Pathein.Anantapicci and Yantapicci made another stand at Male by putting up 2fortifications on the east of the foot of a range. Anantapicci was killed andYantapicci made an orderly retreat to Bagan where he found that the king had fled.He followed to Pathein. The invaders came after him as far as Tayoke Hmyaw andfinally gave up the chase because of the scarcity of food.

Thus Malae is a historic site and has been inhabited continuously since the time of king Binnaka and much history has occurred around there.

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The battle of Ngasaunggyan

August 15, 2010

I first read about the battle of Ngasaunggyan in the Glass Palace Chronicle / Hman Nann Yarzawin

there were some unbelievable feats of the Bagan generals describedthere, no wonder modern day historians consider it to be an unreliable record but there are truths in it

I also came across an article in English about the Battle from Chinese sources

the Ngasaunggyan battle is one of the memorable battles in the several wars between China (this time, Yuan Mongol China) and Myanmar

in all the wars between China and Myanmar, Myanmar got the upperhand finally and China has to make peace

but in some early battles, the Chinese won and the battle of Ngasaunggyan is one of them

yet this Chinese account shows the valour and determination of Bagan generals and troops

they prevented the Chinese army from crossing the Ayeyaarwaddy at Bhamo for 3 months

and again at Shwe Li river for another 3 months

here is the English article about the Battle of Ngasaunggyan from Chinese sources:

Pai-I[Shan]  inducedthe Yunnan government in 1271 to send an envoy to Pagan court demanding submission.

Another envoy was sent in 1273 with an Imperial letterthreatening invasion. They never returned to Yunnan.

1277 Burmese attacked A-hobut after 2 days of fighting were repulsed. Nov-Dec 1277, Yunnan sent Nasir-ed-Din with 3840 men toinvade Mien. Due to hot weather army withdrawn.

Sep-1283, Chinese army with more troops marched fromYunnan-Fu. They fought the battle of Ngasaunggyan in Dec. Captured Chiang t’oucity on 9th Dec killing over 10,000 men in the fighting and took 10,000prisoners.

Anantapicci and Yantapicci tried to stop the enemies whotried to cross the Irrawaddy river from Bhamo in 1283. For 3 months they killed everyone including attendents employed in feeding elephants and horses who came up their side of the river. Wave afterwave of U Ti Bwa’s men came and were killed. From sheer exhaustion, the Burmese could do nothing at last and the enemy finally succeeded in crossing over the river and Ngasaunggyan fell Dec-1283. The Burmese were able to prevent the Chinese from crossing the ShweLi river for 3 months. Mongols took Ngasaunggyan 3-Dec-1283. Kaungsin, administrative centre of northern Burma, fell 9-Dec.

Tagaung was taken Jan-1284. Northern Burma became a Chinese province of Cheng-mien.

The Burmans did not yeild easily. Quduq Tamar’s army for invasion of Mien encountered the rebels and was routed 1284. Reinforcements were sent and it was reported that peoples minds were wavering.

Yunnan reported in 1285 that they have not yet had time to invade Mien. King Narapati sent a peace mission.

King Narapati evacuated Bagan and fled to Pathein.Anantapicci and Yantapicci made another stand at Male by putting up 2fortifications on the east of the foot of a range. Anantapicci was killed andYantapicci made an orderly retreat to Bagan where he found that the king had fled.He followed to Pathein. The invaders came after him as far as Tayoke Hmyaw andfinally gave up the chase because of the scarcity of food.

HERE are comments including mine:

Nyi Win Tayoke Hmyaw is near Shwetaung town on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy

Nyi Win In Bagan, near the Shwesigon pagoda, is a temple with wall paintings
some of it are of poor quality, yet showing Mongol troops
and one shows a Mongol troop in a drunken dance beneath a toddy palm tree (from drinking Htan Yae ထန္းေရ)

Maung Nyo I have read the Ngasaungchan battle in Marco Polo’s Travel. Professor U Myo Min edited it and published it as a small booklet.I think Mongols would have won it anyway was their archers are good with metal tipped arrows that could pierce the armor and elephant skin. Besides Narthihapati was disliked by the Burmese and he was a coward.Queen Saw tried to help him but ultimately she asked him to swallow the poison given by his son. What a tragedy!

Khin Khin Kyawt Narapiti sithu over indulge in food. He feast himself over 13 kinds of dishes everyday.

Alvin Sumedha Lee ‎@Ko Nyi Win… yes, I visited that temple which showed the Mongol troops on wall paintings. Our tour guide explained some of these paintings to us. But he was not sure why there was a painting of a wolf on a flag. My wife and me shared what we know… the Mongols, who believed that they are descendants of a sacred Blue Wolf, used this animal as their army emblem.

Nyi Win

Cheers Alvin
you have witnessed what few Myanmars know
of course the tour guides show that temple to tourists
but Burmese go on pilgrimage without the benefit of tour guides
the guides on the Road to Mandalay during my time did not show the wol…f on a flag painting
and I did not have time to go over all the paintings, either during the tours or by my own twice later

Maung Nyo

Dear KKK, Thank you. Small correction: Tayokepayaymin Narathihapateh ae 300 dishes per meal and he cried when he was served only 150 dishes during the flight from the Mongol Army.
Yes, all state affairs should be decided by the majority but… a charismatic leader elected by the majority is needed to preside.

Khin Khin Kyawt Thanks, I got confused with my father. My mother used to say about him like Tayoke pyay min . She had to prepare many dishes for him everyday. Yes, Sayagyi, people like charismatic leaders as much as we women want hollywood style husbands and men want guitar shaped women. 😉

Thane Oke Kyaw-Myint ‎@ Ko Nyi Win: Dr. Htin Aung wrote “In Defense of the Chronicles” a book written in the form of a barrister’s summation of the case for defense of the integrity and reliability of the Glass Palace Chronicles. You might find a copy on Amazon or you might get a facsimile copy from U Thaw Kaung’s son. It was a very well written thesis, defending that although the language in Burmese had to be such as not to made the king upset, the facts as given in the Chronicles as being correct.

Nyi Win

Thanks Sayar, (TOK-M), for the information
I understand that all historians have to write what the King or Leader wants in autocracies
Even the British historians such as Luce and Hall also write in accordance with the colonial aspect of thei…r times

Alvin wrote: “Quote: “I understand that all historians have to write what the King or Leader wants in autocracies” …
Ko Nyi Win yay, it goes to show how important amateur historians like you can help to record ‘unofficial’ history for researchers to countercheck the validity of official records.
In Singapore, we have an “Oral History Department” in our National Archives Board (I used to work there as a Technical Officer)… highlighting the important role of common folks’ versions of the past. ”

Maung Nyo commented on your status.
Maung wrote: “I do not know what historians define themselves. Theodore White, author of 1000 Days, was dubbed no historian. Dr ma Tin Win Ph.D. (Moscow) was also defined no historian also she taught history at the Institute of Education in Yangon. Dr Htin Aung was als not termed historian although he had a degre in history.Physicist u San Tha Aung studied and wrote about the coins and history of Arakan. Historians at his paper reading session criticised him for being bold and cautioned that history is different from science or physics, but U San Tha Aung was highly regarded by students and historians of Arakan. Many Burmese historians hamstrung by their training by Professor G.H.Luce. Professor Michael Aung-Thwin has been critical of Luce and his colleagues. We are not historians in their definition, but we are history makers- the people who make history.We can air our opinion freely.”

The battle of Ngasaunggyan continued:

Here is Marco Polo’s account of the Battle of Ngasaunggyan mentioned by Prof. Nyo, although not the one edited by Prof. U Myo Min.

Marko Polo wrote a book called “IL MILLIONE” (The Million) which was later translated to English as “Travels of Marko Polo”

http://www.myanmar.ca/history/polo.htm

Here is an excerpt from “Marko Polo and Korcula” by Dr. Zivan Filippi:

Marko Polo arrived in Burma as the official envoy of Kublai Khan in 1278, one year after the big battle between the kings of Burma and Bengal and the Mongol army. He describes that great event which took place in the plain of Vochan. The Mongols were approaching that valley with 12,000 well-equipped horsemen to face a much bigger Burmese army of 60,000 horsemen and infantry-men and 2,000 elephants. When the Mongol soldiers saw the elephants they were so scared that they turned back and started to gallop to the rear. Then the Mongol captain had the salutary idea of making the horsemen dismount from the horses and tie them to trees in the nearby wood. His soldiers then started to shoot at the elephants hitting their vulnerable parts with numerous arrows, which was the Mongol’s favourite weapon. The elephants started to run away towards the wood with enormous noise, while the wooden “castles” on their backs, holding twelve to sixteen well-armed warriors, were falling down while striking the branches of the trees. When the Mongols saw that the elephants ran away, they mounted their horses again and began to chase the enemy. Then a fierce battle occurred. “Then might you see swashing blows dealt and taken from sword and mace; then might you see knights and horses and men-at-arms go down; then might you see arms and hands and legs and heads hewn off: and beside the dead that fell, many a wounded man, that never rose again, for the sore press there was. The din and uproar were so great from this side and that, that God might have thundered and no man would have heard it!” After the battle the Mongol commander took some elephants to Kublai Khan and from that time he always included them in his armies...

My interpretation:

The 1283 Chinese Myanmar War did not come as a surprise to the Burmese.

The root of the War is the 1271 demand of submission by the Yunnan governer and the disappearance of the envoy sent in 1273. (I will write about the matter later)

As it was noted by the Chinese Chroniclers that the Burmese attacked in 1277, without any mention of proior Chinese attack, I wonder whether Narapati having slained the envoy/s as is mentioned in Burmese chronicles, was overly confident, not knowing the might of the Yuan Mongol army.

Yunnan governer also underestimated the Burmese and sent only 3840 men to attack Myanmar / Mien in Nov-Dec 1277.

But the Bagan generals prepared well for the expected Chinese Yuan Mongol attack that finally came in 1283.

The Mongols came with 12,000 well-equipped horsemen this time. Although Burmese war elephants are the “heavy armour” of the time, they could not face the Mongol’s arrows.

It does not take much imagination to visualise the battle field from Marco Polo’s description “Then might you see swashing blows dealt and taken from sword and mace; then might you see knights and horses and men-at-arms go down; then might you see arms and hands and legs and heads hewn off: and beside the dead that fell, many a wounded man, that never rose again, for the sore press there was. The din and uproar were so great from this side and that, that God might have thundered and no man would have heard it!”

Burmese attacked again in 1284 and repelled the Mongols and the fierceness of Burmese attack made impression on the Chinese: it was reported that peoples minds were wavering.

Yunnan still could not raise an army to invade Mien in 1285.

The mighty Yuan Mongol army which annihilated all opposition met its equal in Myanmar army.

Of all countries that Mongol won, it is only Myanmar that they withdrew from, and the hot weather, scarcity of food and illness from malaria in the upper Myanmar are also factors in its withdrawing from Myanmar later.

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Posted in history, Infotainment, Myanmar | 3 Comments »

Tagaung is Bamar territory

August 14, 2010

Tagaung is Bamar territory

My father was posted in Katha at the time he married my mother. She went along from Pathein after their marriage to Katha for her first visit there till near her childbirth when she went to Rangoon where my brother was born.

They returned to Katha and stayed there until my father was transferred to Bassein. I was born in Pathein but after my father was transferred to Hinthada / Henzada, Toungoo and Pathein again, he was finally transferred to Rangoon where I attended school and lived till after I got my license and worked at the Myaungmya Jute Mill Construction Project, the first of my jobs outside Yangon.

During my childhood, my parents frequently talked about their stay at Katha. From what they said, it was my understanding that there were plenty of Shan Kadus ရွမ္း ကဒူး around the area, including the family who helped at their home and also took care of my brother. Actress San Shar Tin originated from around there and she is also supposed to be a Shan Kadu. It was my impression that the area around Kathar is Shan Kadu area and the Bamars are only a minority.

When I studied history and read about Tagaung တေကာင္း, I read that Tagaung is derived from a Shan name တေကာင္. This further reinforced my belief. The TharKiWins who came from northern India ruled over the local Shan Kadus and established a city at Tagaung. It was only later when they extended their territory to other parts of Myanmar, establishing cities in MaingMao, Beikthanoe, Sriksetra, and the lower Myanmar including the Thaninaryi that they came in contact with the Bamars who they ruled and also the Mons in lower Myanmar.

There might be earlier Pyu migration into Myanmar than AbiYarzar, as it is written in Myanmar chronicles that when KanRajaGyi went away from Tagaung and reached LeiKaing / ThuNanpara taing, the population there asked for a King as there was no one to inherit the kingdo, he left his son to rule there, going on to Rakhine and settled in KyaukPadaung before shifting to Dhanyawaddy later. This part of KanRajaGyi reaching Dhanyawaddy is seen in Rakhine history and explains the Aryan features of northern Rakhines. It is also mentioned in Rakhine chronicles that Rakhine had connections with northern India since ancient times and that Marayu came from northern India to establish the first Dhanyawaddy in BC 3440.

Before going to Tagaung တေကာင္း, I had a talk with a Bamar friend from a village in Kathar ကသာ township, several miles east of the Ayeyarwaddy, and learned that the villages around there are Bamar villages. One has to look at the population of the villages to know what type of ethnic group is the main one in an area. The towns do not represent the real ethnic distribution as it consists mainly of people who settled from elsewhere. In Khamti, the Shans are the majority in the villages. In Kathar, I found out recently, it is the Bamars.

On my return from Tagaung, I talked to fellow travelers on the ShutPyay, Bamars, and they also told me the same thing. The villages in HtiJyaint ထီးဂ်ိဳင့္ township and Katha ကသာ township are all settled by Bamars. Katha and HtiJyaint townships, north of Tagaung is Bamar territory and my earlier belief that it is Shan Kadu ရွမ္း ကဒူး area is wrong. So the saying Myanmar AhSa Tagaung Ka ျမန္မာအစ တေကာင္းက has the Bamar population around Kathar, HteeJyaint and Tagaung to support it.

Actually, the word Myanmar is the same as Bamar and the usage of it to include all ethnic nationalities is a political one. Bamars are the majority in Myanmar and they have ruled Myanmar since the time of Anawratha (the Pyus ruled current day Myanmar boundaries earlier) even if not continuously, as after the fall of the Bagan was a period of smaller independent countries (Ava, Hantharwaddy, Mrauk U) until TabinShweHti united the country again under Bamar leadership, and again by U Aung Zeya after the fall of the Toungoo dynasty and whose son HsinPhyuShin extended Myanmar to the mamimum since the time of Anawratha / AhLaungSithu, including ZinMae / Chaing Mai, ArThan / Assam, Manipura.

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History

August 14, 2010

history is my hobby
I am more interested in pre-history
from the evolution into homo sapiens and the out of Africa human migration to all over the world

to the Myanmar prehistory

it begins with the Stone age Badalin cave and other findings of stone age tools

recent findings of the Bronze age and early Iron age cultures in Chindwin and Samon valleys add more to our knowledge
but there is paucity of evidence in pre-history
and some early history is regarded as myths by historians
historians are scientists nowadays

and history is a science subject unlike arts during my school days

the same with the geographers which use scientific methods to collect data and interpret, present them

look at the meteorologists

and the archeologists using the state of art investigative tools: x-ray, sonar, etc.

what lies inside the burial chamber of Emperor Shi Hwang Ti is known to some extent before opening it
they do not accept unsupported facts
so many in our Yarzawin, including AbiYarzar, DazaYarzar, PyuSawHtee are not accepted as facts yet
not to mention king Pauk Kyaing, Tint Tae the ‘smith, MahaThambawa, SulaThambawa, etc.
Even Duddabaung and the PanHtwar are not classified as facts yet
much needs to be done in our history
it is the archeologists work to find historical facts

and historians to interpret them from their desks

I’d rather be with Indiana Jones on his quest for the the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant (it is said to be in Ethopia, closely guarded by the Knights; black Ethopians of course, not the white Knights of Templars)

rather than with Lara Croft (too much adventure)

but more likely to be a couch potatoe and surf the web or read the few books available (I hate exercise)

Prof Maung Maung Nyo commented on your note “History”.
Maung wrote: “History, legends and folklore are interwined.Today legends become history when supporting facts are found. Helen of Troy was thought to be a legend, but Troy was found and it’s now accepted as history.

Look at Tagung and Pagan. Tagaung was thought to be a legend, no more than an Burmese outpost in the Anawrahta era. Now its existence as a Pyu city of not later than 1st century AD has lent support to it of being a major historical site. So also with Pagan. Luce did not believe it was established with 19 Pyu villages, now its existence from the Pyu time with 19 villages have been confirmed.

Sometimes, amateur historians and people should take interest in local or national history and talk so that professional historians and archaelogists can work on it. Physicist U San Tha Aung studied the Arakanese coins and he had contributed much to the Arakanese history.

Professor G.H. Luce hypothesized that Nagathaman was the grandson of deposed Mon king Manuha and he was married to Shwe Ein Thi, daughter of King Kyanzittha to forge Mon-Bamar solidity and their son Alaungsithu was given kingship overpassing Zeya Khittara. Many pro-Mon Burmese historians followed Luce and it was written in Swesone Kyan. Even Thein Pe Myint supported it for national solidity. Now it has been discarded as evidence was proved wrong.

So, your hobby and work is invaluable. Carry on! “

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Unforgettable moments at Tagaung

August 7, 2010

Last year’s journey to the North included Tagaung since the planning stage because it is one of the places I have always wanted to visit although Pyone objected to it. Even when Pyone said she does not want to visit Tagaung when we were already in Myitkyina, and wanted to visit the InnDawGyi Phyarr, I stood firm and told her she could return to Yangon by flight if she did not want to visit the MyitKyinns and Tagaung on which I had placed much hope on.

I had planned to experience the MyitKyinns, the 1st to 3rd AyeYarWaddy defiles, by returning from Myitkyina by boat, touching in at Bhamo and Tagaung for short stays. However, the situation was not as I had expected from the prior data I got from friends when I planned the trip. The water level has become low and the ShutPyays no longer come to Myitkyina. One has to go by open boat to Bhamo to see the 1st Ayeyarwaddy defile near HsinBo and one has to stay overnight at someplace, making the trip from Myitkyina to Bhamo a 2 day trip instead of 1. So I gave up the 1st defile and we travelled to Bhamo by bus, hoping to go from Bhamo to Tagaung by Shutpyay to experience the 2nd Ayeyarwaddy defile near Shwegu. However, the ShutPyay only comes twice a week to Bhamo and one had just left. Instead of waiting for the next one, we could go down by boat to Katha, passing through the 2nd defile and then staying overnight there and then take the next morning’s boat to Tagaung. Aung Ko Oo protested that his leave did not cover that much time. So we took the bus to Tagaung with mixed feelings, having lost the opportunity to experience the 2nd defile which I had watched on the MWD tv, which I very  much wanted to visit, especially after watching the movie NayChi PhyarHma Nyway Thaw Kyaunt again, not long ago.

The road to Tagaung was terrible and the hard leaf springs of the small bus instead of the big bus with air bags was also a contributing factor in the sufferings we had, in addition to the loud music, (which was solved by complaining to the conductor / spareman the 2nd time after he turned down the volume after the first complaint but was still unbearable). The bus left Bhamo at 3 pm, and near Shwegu, we were rewarded with a glimpse of the 2nd defile as the road goes along the bank for some time. We were lucky to have seats on the right hand side of the bus; otherwise, we would have missed even that glimpse. After dinner at the stop near the road branch to Shwegu, we arrived at the road branch to Tagaung at 1 a.m.

We got down with all our luggage and after the bus left, we were in the dark on the highway, but there is a security gate nearby and several motorcycles offering to take us to Tagaung. I asked for a Toke-toke and when they knew I was determined and that they could not get any business out of us, they called and waked up the Toke-toke driver, who came to us with his vehicle. We loaded it with our luggage and off we went in the direction in which we came. The engine was not started with a starter or a kick-start, but the driver pushed the Toke-toke for a long time until he thought the speed was sufficient for starting. Then he released the clutch and the engine sputtered and finally after some reluctance, ran regularly. It must have been hard work for him as the slope of the highway was slight. After going for a short distance he took a turn at a crossroads and we went along a smaller road in the dark, miles from anywhere but Tagaung, which is about 2 miles away. About half way to Tagaung, he stopped and got down and checked all the Toke-toke’s wheels. I was worried that if something happened, we would have to stay the night on the Toke-toke and it was quite cold in the open. He informed us that the tyres are low in pressure, but will be able to make it to Tagaung. I was relieved and after we entered Tagaung in the dark, he took us to a motel (the next morning, I saw 2 vehicles, one a Myanmar MeeYaHtar mazda jeep, and the other, a box car with advertisement designs). The place must be the best in Tagaung as motor vehicle travelers stayed there. I wondered what a MaMa car was doing in Tagaung. Is a railway tract being constructed there on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy?

When we arrived at the “motel” (motorized travelers can stay there for overnight), it was 1:30 a.m. and the toke-toke operator had to call a long time before someone opened up. It was the “manager”. Having unloaded in the meantime, we went in. There was no electricity and although the manager had a candle, he did not offer us any, and after showing us our rooms, which are on the upper level, he went off, leaving us in the dark. Lukily, we had torches and candles too. Actually it is not luck, but careful preparation from experience in travelling frequently in Myanmar. Take along candles, lighters, hangers, cup, saucer, spoons, fork, knife, bottle opener, etc. It was very cold (seint nay dar bae), like during the winter nights I experienced in Phaunggyi during my “Zeya 60” course, and the Khamti Nansibum Jade mines.

I woke up early in the dark the next / the same (it was already near 2 a.m. by the time we get into bed) morning. When light came, the manager appeared and I arranged to have 2 trishaws for our Tagaung tour. A KaukHnyinPaung vendor came along and we had KaukHnyinPaung and AhKyaws for breakfast.

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Little known facts in Myanmar history: P’iao_“one of the tribes of the ‘Gold Teeth Comfortership’

August 7, 2010

P’iao_one of the tribes of the ‘Gold Teeth Comfortership

I first read about the Gold Teeth tribe ေရႊသြားႏိုင္ငံ described by Chinese sources in its description about the people living in northern Myanmar, (in one of Dr. Than Tun’s books in Burmese about the Pyu). Later I found the following in English on the net.

Luce goes on to note reference by the Chinese to the P’iao as “one of the tribes of the ‘Gold Teeth Comfortership’ (1985:66). The ‘Gold Teeth’ tribes perhaps find authentication in the 1999 finding at Shwegugyi Zeidi south of Halin, of an upper jawbone with eight teeth drilled with a pattern of 102 tiny holes filled with gold foil. The jawbone was from a skeleton found under a large stone slab and an associated pillar about 1.5m long, with gold and silver rings, pottery and iron tools (Hudson 2003:10, Win Maung (Tampawaddy) 1999).

Later, I saw the photo in a journal and recently, I obtained it from the Myanmar Archaeology Students Blog, the Association Of Myanmar Archaeologists: https://aomar.wordpress.com

in the article / blog

Halin (Hanlin, Halin-gyi)

Halin (Hanlin, Halin-gyi)

As this reference indicates, research on the Pyu bringing together Chinese references, chronicles and artefacts is now ongoing, particularly at Halin, but the identification of the Pyu ‘capital’ among the ‘tribes’ at this time is uncertain. Chinese reference to “hills of sand and a desert tract” suggest Halin rather than Sriksetra (Luce 1960: 317).

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