First Delta Pwo Karen Fellowship

        “This is the first time that we have come from different religious backgrounds such as Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Seven Day Adventist and Buddhist, to make this fellowship happen” said one participant, Mahn Thein Aung, a retired school teacher, aged 62, a Catholic from Nyaung Bin Thar, Shwe Laung Township, accompanying the group of 20 Buddhist Pwo Karen youth from Pantanaw. 

     Entitled “First Delta Pwo Karen Fellowship” was successfully held from 26 to 29 December 2012 at Mayanchaung Catholic compound, in Pathein Township, in Ayeyarwaddy region. To the very first held fellowship event were attended 218 participants, 97 young men and 121 young women of 5 religious backgrounds. The opening ceremony was highlighted by the opening speech of Mahn Than Shwe, Regional Minister of Karen Affairs of Ayeyarwaddy region. Though different in faith professions, one that makes this event happen and unite them is “ Being One Delta Pwo Karen of Ayeyarwaddy ”. “To raise this awareness of rediscovering the root of being one Delta Pwo Karen is the purpose of this meeting” said Rev. Mahn David, Pastor of Pwo Karen Baptist Church in Pathein, president of fellowship celebration committee which was formed in August 2012 and held 4 successive meetings before the mentioned fellowship meeting took place in Mayanchaung Catholic compound. The committee was chaired by Bishop John Hsane Hgyi, Bishop of Catholic diocese of Pathein, Ashin Dr.Adicca (Mahn Mu Phan), Honorable monk of Phlone Pathein Monastery, Mahn Khin Maung Lat, of SDA regional superior, supported by the working committee.

       Ayeyarwaddy region is located in Delta region in the southern part of Myanmar, rich of natural resources of agriculture, fishery and forestry being situated along the Bay of Bangle. Ayeyarwaddy region is composed of 6 districts in which 26 townships are included. Out of about 7 millions civil population, Karen (both Pwo and Sgaw) are composed of the estimated 2 millions spreading in all 26 townships. The present available statistic is not accurate and hopefully upcoming 2014 general census sponsored by UN will bring out accurate statistics of Karen population in Delta region. Pwo Karen in the region of Delta are known as West Pwo Karen, closely related to East Poe Karen living in the Karen State in the East of Myanmar bordering with Thailand. Their writing scripts were invented by the Baptist Missionaries in 1830s and the Bible in Pwo (Poe), known also Phlone was translated by the same missionaries. In this way Pwo Karen literatures have come to existence and widely used during the British colonization period (1826 to 1947) and post independence until the nationalization and confiscation of Mission and Private Schools in 1965.

       “Today our younger generation do not know how to read and write Pwo Karen, because they do not have access to it in the government schools and no text books available” said Rev.Mahn Than Htun Aye, Vice President of Pwo Karen Baptist Confrence, a participant in the fellowship meeting. Pwo Karen Baptist Conference is the only Church Organization which has preserved and promoted Delta Pwo Karen Language as they use it as medium of teaching in their seminaries and Bible schools. Thanks to them that much expectation of promotion Pwo Karen Language in Delta is assured through their expertise and accompaniment. This First Delta Pwo Karen Fellowship is a proof of success with their efficient supports in program facilitation on Paper presentations done in two days. On the day one, a paper on “ How the Pwo Karens in Delta to prepare themselves to cope with changes taking place in building a new nation of Myanmar” prepared by Mahn Win Maung of Pantanaw and read by Rev.Saya Nepolean, Pwo Karen Baptist Conference, Director of Language and Culture. On the second day, a paper on “ Ayeyarwaddy Delta in the Eyes of Pwo Karens” prepared by Fr.Henry Eikhlein, a Catholic priest of Pathein Diocese and read by Sr.Daniella, Catholic Religious Sister of St.Francis Xavier, in diocese of Pathein. Both papers were read and discussed in the assembly and in 5 separate groups with findings and recommendations at the end. Both papers highlighted on the history of Karen people, the present situation of Pwo Karen people in Delta, their challenges in livelihoods, educations, health care, social protections and security, threat of natural disasters (floods, cyclone).

       To safeguard and promote Pwo Karen Language and Culture across Ayeyarwaddy region were particularly discussed. All are aware of an urgent need of teaching Karen Language in targeted villages not only in the summer vacation periods ( March to May), but also to introduce it as an extra effort in the government schools since a new opportunity of teaching and learning local languages are opened.

       A great concern was manifested among the participants with regard to having an accurate statistics of Karen population in Myanmar as a general census is under way. A specific focus was also made on change of mindset and looking with new eyes on every opportunity present. Karen have been known as loyal and good followers since British time. Timid and slow in taking initiative and being responsive. Good as general workers, but rare as managers and leaders. A mindset of good followers to great leaders, general workers to efficient managers, isolation to participation, were new insights seriously discussed in the meeting.

        At the end, a standing committee was formed in the presence of all participants. Taking the name of “ Delta Pwo Karen Association” (DPKA), was formed with participations of 5 religious backgrounds, comprising both Church leaders and laymen professionals. The members will have their first meeting in two month time in which consolidation of members will be made and planning of future activities will be finalized.
This is just a small beginning and still a long journey to go together until reaching the full realization of our common goal of Being One Delta Pwo Karen, regardless of our religious backgrounds while marching towards a sustainable peace and development of the Delta Ayeyarwaddy in Myanmar.

Reported by Eikhlein.fr
December 29, 2012