Myanmar

The Myanmar State

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation state of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), and has a population of about 55 million.

History of Myanmar

Myanmar has a complex history marked by periods of independence, colonization, and military rule. The region was unified in the 11th century under the Pagan Kingdom, but later fragmented into several kingdoms. In the 19th century, it came under British colonial rule, gaining independence in 1948. However, a military coup in 1962 led to decades of authoritarian rule. Despite a brief period of reforms beginning in 2011, the military reasserted control in a 2021 coup. Throughout its modern history, Myanmar has grappled with ethnic conflicts, economic challenges, and struggles for freedom, providing the backdrop against which anarchism has re-emerged and evolved.

Anarchism in Myanmar

Anarchism in Myanmar has a complex history, emerging from a background of misuse and misunderstanding to become a distinct political and cultural movement in the 21st century.

Historical Context

Prior to the 2000s, the term "anarchism" in Myanmar was primarily used as a pejorative by communist and leftist groups to disparage their opponents. This misuse of the term is exemplified by the tragic case of Hamendrnath Goshal (also known as Thakin Ba Tin), a founder of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). Goshal, who advocated for the orthodox Marxist "Mass Strike" method over the Maoist guerrilla strategy, was labeled an "anarchist" by his opponents within the party. This labeling, along with racist slurs, was used to justify his murder and that of other politburo members in the 1960s. This incident highlights the lack of understanding of different leftist ideologies among the CPB leadership at the time.

Emergence of Anarchist Thought

The landscape began to change in the early 2000s. Prior to this period, no organizations or individuals in Myanmar officially identified as anarchists, although some left-wing activists occasionally employed anarchistic narratives or talking points.

Punk Subculture and Anarchism

The punk subculture, which emerged in Myanmar after 2000, played a significant role in introducing anarchist ideas to the country. Characterized by distinctive fashion and loud music, punk bands began to organize and explicitly advocate for anarchism.

Notable Punk Bands

Several punk bands have been instrumental in spreading anarchist ideas:

1. Rebel Riots: Known for their atheistic, anarchistic, and pacifist lyrics combined with punk rock music.
2. Kultureshock: One of the first bands to adopt crust punk, famous for rebellious and anarchistic lyrics.
3. Big Bag: Renowned in popular culture for their pop punk sound.
4. Other bands: Happy Three Friends, No U Turn, and metal bands like Darkest Tears from My Heart have also contributed to the underground punk and metal scenes.

Anarchist Organizations

As anarchist thought gained traction, several organizations emerged:

1. Food Not Bombs Yangon: Established by anarchists including Thiha JP and Kyaw Kyaw, this group provides free vegan food to those in need and offers free courses in various subjects. Other locations include Myanmar, Mae Sot, Dawei, Kawthoolei
2. Books Not Bombs Myanmar: Founded by the same group as Food Not Bombs Yangon, this organization focuses on providing books and educational materials to underprivileged children.
3. For the People for the Hood: An autonomous neighborhood organization in Yangon that operates on anarcho-syndicalist principles, providing mutual aid and free courses to residents.
4. Yangon Anarchist Association: A recently established organization focusing on theoretical translation and development of anarchist thought in Myanmar.
5. Worker Solidarity League of Burma (WSLB): While not explicitly anarchist, this syndicalist union has maintained a reputation for serving only working-class interests for over 20 years.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its growth, the anarchist movement in Myanmar faces several challenges. These include a lack of translated anarchist literature, the influence of authoritarian leftist ideologies, and the difficulty of organizing under military rule. However, the increasing number of anarchist organizations and the growing interest in anarchist theory suggest a potential for further development of anarchist thought and practice in Myanmar.

As the movement continues to evolve, it will be crucial for Myanmar's anarchists to deepen their theoretical understanding, strengthen their organizational capacities, and navigate the complex political landscape of the country.

Links

Burmese Anarchism