Thakins
Encyclopedia
The Thakins were a Burmese nationalist group formed around the 1930s and composed of young, disgruntled intellectuals. Drawing their name from the way in which the British were addressed during colonial times, thakin means "lord" or "master", just as the Indians called the British "sahib
". The party , however, is formally known as the Dobama Asiayone Movement (which can be translated into either "We Burmans" or "Our Burma"). Established by Ba Thoung in May 1930, it was able to combine tradition with modernity by bringing together traditionalist Buddhist nationalist elements and fresh political ideals. It was significant in stirring up political consciousness in Burma, and drew most of its support base from students.
, after Indian dock workers and their families were murdered by Burman
dock workers who believed that the Indians had taken jobs that rightfully belonged to them. The organisation was nationalist in nature, and supported Burman supremacy. Its members used thakin, literally "master" as their titles. The slogan of the organisation was "Burma is our country; Burmese literature is our literature; Burmese language is our language. Love our country, raise the standards of our literature, respect our language." Dobama Asiayone was keen assimilating ethnic minorities into Burman culture, and most of its activities stemmed from Rangoon University.
By the late 1930s, the Thakins had risen through the ranks to emerge as a prominent nationalist group. To achieve its objectives, the group committed itself to the use violent means, such as strikes and force. In 1937, a Thakin leader had surfaced- a young lawyer by the name of Aung San
. In 1939, the Thakins took over the Dobama Asiayone and brought about the collapse of the government of Ba Maw
, then the premier of the country, and in 1940, the Thakins and Ba Maw combined forces in the anti-war Freedom Bloc.
. Upon the Japanese occupation of Burma in 1942, the Thakins, who had left the country at the outbreak of the war, returned; and in 1943, Aung San made a momentous move to support the Japanese. In turn, the Japanese decided to support his Independent Army. During the Occupation, Japanese Army Officer, Colonel Suzuki Keiji, upon deciding to work with the Thakins due to their offer of promising material with which to work, selected thiry Thakins to be sent for military training in Japanese schools situated in Formosa and Hainan Island
. These thirty Thakins were the founding members of the Burma Independence Army, which would later number 5000 men (although the Thakins army itself claimed the figure to be 10 000) and be renamed the Burma National Army in 1944.
The party's song, Myanmar Kaba Ma Kyei
("Till The End of the World, Myanmar") also became the country's first national song and eventually its national anthem
. Composed by Saya Tin
(later known as Thakin Tin), the song was a national symbol during the Japanese Occupation of Burma and was adopted in 1948 upon the achievement of independence.
Sahib
Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib is "associate, companion, comrade, friend" though it also includes "Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib...
". The party , however, is formally known as the Dobama Asiayone Movement (which can be translated into either "We Burmans" or "Our Burma"). Established by Ba Thoung in May 1930, it was able to combine tradition with modernity by bringing together traditionalist Buddhist nationalist elements and fresh political ideals. It was significant in stirring up political consciousness in Burma, and drew most of its support base from students.
History
The group was established in 1930 in RangoonYangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
, after Indian dock workers and their families were murdered by Burman
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
dock workers who believed that the Indians had taken jobs that rightfully belonged to them. The organisation was nationalist in nature, and supported Burman supremacy. Its members used thakin, literally "master" as their titles. The slogan of the organisation was "Burma is our country; Burmese literature is our literature; Burmese language is our language. Love our country, raise the standards of our literature, respect our language." Dobama Asiayone was keen assimilating ethnic minorities into Burman culture, and most of its activities stemmed from Rangoon University.
By the late 1930s, the Thakins had risen through the ranks to emerge as a prominent nationalist group. To achieve its objectives, the group committed itself to the use violent means, such as strikes and force. In 1937, a Thakin leader had surfaced- a young lawyer by the name of Aung San
Aung San
Bogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
. In 1939, the Thakins took over the Dobama Asiayone and brought about the collapse of the government of Ba Maw
Ba Maw
Dr. Ba Maw was a Burmese political leader, active during the interwar and World War II period.-Early life and education:Ba Maw was born in Maubin. Ba Maw came from a distinguished family of mixed Mon-Burmese parentage which bred many scholars and lawyers...
, then the premier of the country, and in 1940, the Thakins and Ba Maw combined forces in the anti-war Freedom Bloc.
Achievements
The Thakins were credited for the formation of the Burma National ArmyBurma National Army
The Burma National Army served as the armed forces of the Burmese government created by the Japanese during World War II and fought in the Burma Campaign...
. Upon the Japanese occupation of Burma in 1942, the Thakins, who had left the country at the outbreak of the war, returned; and in 1943, Aung San made a momentous move to support the Japanese. In turn, the Japanese decided to support his Independent Army. During the Occupation, Japanese Army Officer, Colonel Suzuki Keiji, upon deciding to work with the Thakins due to their offer of promising material with which to work, selected thiry Thakins to be sent for military training in Japanese schools situated in Formosa and Hainan Island
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
. These thirty Thakins were the founding members of the Burma Independence Army, which would later number 5000 men (although the Thakins army itself claimed the figure to be 10 000) and be renamed the Burma National Army in 1944.
The party's song, Myanmar Kaba Ma Kyei
Kaba Ma Kyei
"Kaba Ma Kyei" is the national anthem of Burma . The preamble of the anthem is in the traditional Burmese style, before transitioning into a Western-style orchestra....
("Till The End of the World, Myanmar") also became the country's first national song and eventually its national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
. Composed by Saya Tin
Saya Tin
Nandawshay Saya Tin was a Burmese composer.-Early life:Tin was born in Mandalay in 1892 to Daw Thein and her husband U Yan Aung, a former official in the service of the last Burmese king Thibaw...
(later known as Thakin Tin), the song was a national symbol during the Japanese Occupation of Burma and was adopted in 1948 upon the achievement of independence.
Citations
- Thakins from Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Copyright 2001-2006 by Macmillan Reference USA, an imprint of the Gale Group. All rights reserved.
- "The Military and its Roots- Burma's Struggle for Democracy: The Army Against The People."
- "Transfer of Power in Burma."
- Calvocoressi P; Wint G; Pritchard J. "The Birth of Burma Army."
- "Myanmar Kaba Ma Kyei."
Further reading
- Khin, Yi. (1988) The Dobama Movement in Burma (1930–1938). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.