Anglo-Burmese people facts for kids
An Anglo-Burmese family in the 1920s
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
 Myanmar c. 52,000,worldwide total unknown |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Australia, India, Myanmar, United Kingdom, United States |
|
| Languages | |
| Burmese, English | |
| Religion | |
| Buddhism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
|
The Anglo-Burmese people, also known as the Anglo-Burmans, are a group of people with both Burmese and European family backgrounds. This community grew from relationships between British and other European people and Burmese people. This happened between 1826 and 1948, when Myanmar became independent from the British Empire.
After Myanmar gained independence and a military government took over, many Anglo-Burmese people moved to other countries. It's not known exactly how many stayed in Myanmar. The term "Anglo-Burmese" can also include people with European roots and other Burmese ethnic groups, like the Shan or Karen. In the Burmese language, people of mixed heritage are called bo kabya.
Contents
History of Anglo-Burmese People
Early European Connections
The first community with both European and Burmese roots appeared in the early 1600s. This happened when Portuguese settlers and Bamar people married. This group was known as the Ba-yin-gyi. They lived near Syriam, which is now Thanlyin, close to Yangon.
Later, in the late 1700s, some French soldiers were given Burmese wives by King Alaungpaya. He was the founder of the Konbaung Dynasty. These French-Burmese families became skilled gunners for the king's army. They played a big part in battles against Thailand and China. Some of their descendants still live in Catholic villages near Shwebo today.
British Rule in Burma
The First Anglo-Burmese War ended in 1826 with a peace treaty. This treaty meant that coastal areas like Arakan and Tenasserim became part of the British Empire. Moulmein became the capital of this new British colony. Later, after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852, the Bago Region was also added, forming "British Burma." The Third Anglo-Burmese War began in 1886.
During British rule, some European men had relationships with Burmese women. Sometimes these relationships were not permanent, and the European fathers would leave money for their children. Sometimes, children were sent to schools run by Europeans, where they learned more about European culture. Mixed marriages became an important topic during Burma's independence movement.
Anglo-Burmese people have a very diverse background. Their Asian heritage is mostly Bamar, but also includes Karen, Shan, and Mon people. Their European heritage comes from many countries, including England, Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, France, and Portugal. People from other places like Armenia and Syria also contributed to the Anglo-Burmese community. By the 1920s, the Anglo-Burmese were a unique group in Burma.
In 1937, Burma officially separated from the Indian Empire and became a separate British colony. At this time, Anglo-Burmese people were officially recognized as an ethnic group. Because of their European connections, they often had special advantages. They started to adopt European customs more strongly. Many Anglo-Burmese felt that Burma was their home and did not wish to move to Europe. After independence, about 60% of the community planned to stay in Burma.
Many Anglo-Indians also came to Burma during this time to work on railways and in government. Anglo-Burmese and Anglo-Indian people often married each other. They often met at community clubs, which were a big part of life during British rule.
Between 1935 and 1948, Burma's economy grew, especially in farming, oil, and timber. Yangon (then called Rangoon) was a very diverse city. Many Anglo-Burmese people lived in Yangon and Maymyo (now Pyin Oo Lwin), as well as in other towns across the country.
Japanese Occupation and Aftermath
In 1942, the Japanese invaded Burma. Many Anglo-Burmese people were worried because of their European connections. They quickly tried to leave Burma for safety in India, often with the retreating British forces. Many left by sea or air. Some stayed behind to keep essential services running until it was too late to escape.
Sadly, many who were left behind tried to walk through jungles to India. This journey is known as "The Trek." Many Anglo-Burmese, along with Europeans, Indians, and Chinese, died during this difficult trip. Those who remained in Burma faced very hard times.
Many Anglo-Burmese in Maymyo were put in prison camps by the Japanese. However, some who looked more Burmese were able to blend in and avoid capture. Many Burmese people helped protect their Anglo-Burmese friends and relatives from the Japanese. After the war, many Anglo-Burmese remembered this kindness. Some even decided not to use their European names anymore, feeling grateful for the protection they received.
In 1944, Burma's colonial government met in India to plan for Burma's future after the war. Anglo-Burmese leaders were part of these discussions. One important outcome was the promise that Anglo-Burmese people would be allowed to practice their religion freely, keep their customs, and continue to speak English.
Life After Independence
On January 4, 1948, the Union of Burma became independent from the United Kingdom. It immediately left the Commonwealth. The new Burmese government included special protections for Anglo-Burmese people. This included reserved seats in the new Parliament. Many Anglo-Burmese also worked in government and the military.
However, the leader, Aung San, was assassinated before independence. This caused a lot of unrest and civil war broke out. Many Anglo-Burmese people started to leave the country, fearing for their safety. In the 1950s, the situation in Burma became more difficult. The government began to replace Anglo-Burmese people in government jobs with ethnic Burmese people. Also, to enter Rangoon University, students had to be fluent in written Burmese, which many Anglo-Burmese had not learned.
Military Rule and Beyond
In 1962, General Ne Win took control and started a strict military government. This new government was very nationalistic and isolated Burma from the rest of the world. Many more Anglo-Burmese people left the country because of new rules that discriminated against minority groups. Anglo-Burmese people were dismissed from the military and from many government jobs.
All schools were taken over by the government, and English was no longer taught from a young age. The quality of education declined. The Anglo-Burman Social Club was taken over by the military, and the Anglo-Burman Union was banned. During this time, many Anglo-Burmans moved to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S.A.
Anglo-Burmese Today
Today, some people who identify as Anglo-Burmese still live in Myanmar. Because of their similar backgrounds, Anglo-Burmese people are often considered "kith and kin" by Anglo-Indians. Reunions for Anglo-Indians often include many Anglo-Burmese people.
Notable People with Anglo-Burmese Roots
Many famous people around the world have Anglo-Burmese heritage.
- The famous writer George Orwell lived in Burma as a police officer from 1922 to 1927. He wrote the book Burmese Days about his experiences there.
- British writer Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) was born in Akyab, British Burma.
- Fred Pugsley was an Anglo-Burmese football player who played for an Indian club in 1942.
- Bollywood actress Helen
- British actor Richard Beckinsale and his daughters, actresses Kate Beckinsale and Samantha Beckinsale
- British writer and journalist Sue Arnold
- Japanese-British music critic Peter Barakan
- British TV personality Melanie Sykes
- Jazz musicians Jamie Cullum and his brother Ben Cullum
- Singer Annabella Lwin
- Musician Sam Duckworth, also known as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
- Alexander and Kim, the sons of Aung San Suu Kyi and Michael Aris, also have Anglo-Burmese heritage.
- British actress Zuleikha Robinson
- American TV host Alex Wagner
- Burmese writer Wendy Law-Yone and her daughter, U.S. actress Jocelyn Seagrave
- Australian singer Reigan Derry
Some Anglo-Burmese people still live in Myanmar and are famous there. These include singer and actress Rita Fairmen (Myint Myint Khin), and singers Marie Conway (Tin Moe Khaing) and Joyce Win (Nwe Yin Win).
Education for Anglo-Burmans
Anglo-Burmans usually went to missionary schools where English was the main language. Burmese was taught as a second language. If Anglo-Burmans married full-blooded Burmese people, their children often learned more about Burmese culture and spoke Burmese more often. Some well-known schools included:
- Cushing High School, Rangoon
- Methodist English High School, Rangoon
- St. Augustine's School, Rangoon
- St. John's Convent, Rangoon
- St. John's High School, Rangoon
- St. Luke's High School, Rangoon
- St. Mary's Convent, Rangoon
- St. Paul's High School, Rangoon
- St. Philip's High School, Rangoon
- St. Philomena's Convent, Rangoon
- St. Joseph's Convent, Mandalay
- St. Peter's High School, Mandalay
- Wesley High School, Mandalay
- Government English High School (GEHS), Maymyo
- Kingswood High School, Kalaw, Southern Shan State
- St. Michael's School, Maymyo
- St. Patrick's High School, Moulmein
Community Groups in Colonial Burma
- Anglo-Burman Social Club
- Anglo-Burmese Association
- Anglo-Burman Union
Current Anglo-Burman Groups
- Australian Anglo-Burmese Society
- Anglo-Burman Church Organisation
- The Britain-Burma Society
See also
- Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)
- Burgher people
- Eurasians in Singapore
- Filipino mestizo
- Hafu
- Hapa
- Indo people
- Kristang people
- Luk khrueng
- Mestizo
Images for kids
-
A passport photo showing George Orwell during his time in Myanmar.
