Junta Bans Construction Of 'Manau Poles' In Bhamo

In a fresh ban, the Burmese military junta has prohibited the construction of ‘Manau Poles’ – a mark of ethnic Kachin culture in Bhamo in the country’s northern Kachin State, said local sources.

Kachin residents in Bhamo told KNG, that Kachin ‘Manau Poles’ were banned from being constructed in June on the orders of the junta’s Northern Regional (or Kachin State) Commander Brig-Gen Soe Win.

Map of Bhamo, Kachin State, Burma

The Kachin Cultural ‘Manau Poles’, which are 50 feet high and 100 feet in width were being constructed at Two Miles in Bhamo. It was banned by military authorities of Bhamo on instructions from Commander Brig-Gen Soe Win on June 12, according to Kachin residents in Bhamo.

The main reason for the ban on constructing ‘Manau Poles’ by the military authorities is the name of the ‘Manau Poles’ venue -- the “Kachin Literature and Culture”. The authorities said the name was inappropriate and it represents only the Jinghpaw tribe in Kachin State, said Manau committee sources.

The Kachin Manau Committee - Bhamo has tried to explain to the authorities that the construction and giving the name of the Manau venue and the Poles helps build cultural fellowship and solidarity among Kachins in Bhamo, committee sources said.

Now, the Manau Committee is trying to get permission to continue with the construction even as Kachin people in Bhamo are terribly upset with the military authorities regarding the ban on the construction of the first ‘Manau Pole’ in the venue, said Kachin residents in Bhamo.

‘Manau Poles’ are one of the most significant cultural benchmarks of all Kachin people. Kachins in the three countries--- Burma, China and India highly value the Manau Festival and it is held in those countries every year.

Teaching of ethnic Kachin language in all primary schools in Kachin State has been totally banned since General Ne Win grabbed power in Burma in 1962.