Background on Karenni National Day

Throughout the centuries expansionist Burman kings engaged in war with the inhabitants of Karenni State as they encroached on the territory of the ethnic frontier states.

Then in 1924 the first Anglo-Burmese war took place and the British took control of Tanintharry and Moulmein in Lower Burma.

In 1826, Gayphodu, a prominent Western Karenni chief, sent a delegation to Moulmein to establish a friendship with the British administration. He selected his own son Khwee Ti, as his emissary.

In 1852, a second Anglo‐Burmese war occurred and the British occupied Taungoo and other parts of lower Burma. Following this in 1857 the Chief Commissioner of Taungoo, Mr E. O’Riley, came to Kyephogyi and met with Gayphodu to renew the Treaty of Friendship.

In the intervening years the Burmans had continued to invade Karenni territory so Gayphodu requested the Viceroy of British‐India to put pressure on the Burman king to respect the independence of Western Karenni. In response to this request, Viceroy Lord Dalhousie of British‐India announced his support of the Karenni’s claim to independence and warned the Burmans that they should cease their attacks on the Karenni.

Gayphodu, the chief of Western Karenni, passed away in 1868 and his two sons Khwee Ti and Khwee Tjar succeeded him. Khwee Ti and Khwee Tjar contined to request the Viceroy of British‐India to put pressure on the Burman king to acknowledge Karenni’s independence.

In 1875, the Viceroy of British‐India, dispatched his emissary, Sir Douglas Forsyth K.C.S.I., C.B., to travel to Burma to ‘effect a settlement of the Karennee question’ (News of the World Dec. 26, 1886). As a result the Burman King Mindon agreed unconditionally to recognize the independence of the four Western Karenni States: Bawlake, Kyehphogyi, Namekho and Naungpale. The agreement was signed on June 21, 1875. Sir Douglas Forsyth, signed the agreement on behalf of the Viceroy and Governor General of India and Kinwon Mingyi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Burmese monarchy. The entry in the Upper Burma Gazetteer reads as follows:

“It is hereby agreed between the British and Burmese Government that the State of Western Karenee shall remain separate and independent, and that no sovereignty or governing body of any description shall be claimed or exercised over that State.

Whereunto we have on this day, the 21st of June 1875 corresponding with the 3rd day of the Waning moon of Nayong 1237 BE, affixed our seals and signature.”

seal. (SD) TD Forsyth                                                                                            Seal. (SD) Kinwon Mingyi

From that day, to the end of British rule in Burma, Burman troops ceased to attack or interfere with Karenni State and the Karenni people therefore marked this recognition of their independence by proclaiming June 21st as their National Day.

Since then, Karenni people have held an annual commemoration on June 21st and today, June 21st 2010, marks the 135th anniversary of Karenni National Day.

Headquarters
Karenni National Progressive Party

This post is in: Ethnic Nationalities