What I am reading about the Chin National Day and its impact on the diaspora Chin around the globe.

The National Day is highly celebrated across the globe for countries that have National Day. It is primarily an anniversary for the founding of a nation, as some countries make their Independence Days a National Day. For a sovereign country, National Day is a national holiday—highly regarded above all and is well observed. Simply put, National Day is clearer in saying that it is the celebration in memory of the foundation of a nation or nationhood. It therefore appears to be nationalistic rhetoric in the nature of its implication, wherever and whenever it is used, for the fact that it symbolises the triumph of the cause of one’s nationalistic independence or freedom, or self-determination from the hands of ruler or oppressor. In other words, it means the birth of a nation.

Looked into what is explained about the National Day in the English dictionary is that it is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. Few countries have more than one National Day like Pakistan, and others serve in their unique ways with the same echo of national spirit. For instance, Australia’s Anzac Day celebrated on 25 April is a National Day becomes a national holiday for its citizens for remembering the past military sacrifices. In the United States, Independence Day celebrations on July 4 are widely celebrated with parade, fireworks, picnics and barbecues. 

However, National Days claimed by ethnic minority groups in countries like Myanmar riven with corruption, elitism and cronyism under the irony grips of military dictator for more than half a century are low-key affairs. Systematic attempts to deny the rights of using National Day for ethnic minority in fear of the rise of ethno-nationalism had been institutionalized in place. Yet, once it was regarded illegal and unconstitutional was now allowed to be reobserved, following the controversial nationwide ceasefire agreement signed between the ethnic armed groups and the military-turned civilian government led by President Thein Sein in 2011.

When it comes to the anniversary of Chin National Day which falls on 20 February, what we should learn from the history is always more than important. Celebrating National Day that fails to produce national spirit is just a party without purpose—making chaotic or disastrous for the generation to come. For other nationals, esp, foreigners, Chin National Day seems to be in the making because it is yet to gain recognition by the central government with the hope of achieving the subsequent holiday at least for Chins even if it is impossible to be for all in recognition of the rights of ethnicity—a sign that would ensue everyone have equal rights under the rule of laws. On the contrary, it is far from being realistic beyond the periphery of Chin occupied territories even if gained the government’s recognition, others suggest.

Lest we forget the historical evidence, Pu Vomtu Mawng, Chin Affairs Minister and Pu Captain Mangtung Nung, Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Chin Affairs demanded the U Nu’s government to approve February 20 as an official holiday for Chin territory, which is now Chin state. The demand was granted so by Prime Minister U Nu and the government of Union of Burma on the ground of the Chin Battalions saving the Union of Burma while on the brink of falling into the multi-insurgencies in 1949. Denying the demand of Chin leaders could project further divide amidst they had been in great turmoil for Chin soldiers were saving the government by scarifying their lives. So, Feb 20 in 1948 was purposely selected because it was the day on which it was voted to abolish Chin traditional aristocracy system into democracy practice and made it the Chin National Day. 

Deeply investigated into the cause, Chin people in Kanpatlet demonstrated against the English commissioner, who was visiting Kanpatlet from Magway as a British subject town on Feb 20 1937, in protest of the English rule in Chin territory. Feared for his life at the end of the uncontrollable protesting, the British Magway commissioner fled to Saw, a nearby town in the plain, Burma. The British administrators quickly banned to spread the news about what happened in Kanpatlet in the Chin Hills. But U Aung San, father of Daw Aung San Suu Gyi, got the news of Kanpatlet’s demonstration and used it in his political campaign for Burma Independence in Danuphyu. The warrant to arrest the legend was issued after disclosing of the sensitive information. Aung San escaped to run away from the country and formed the historic thirty comrades in Japan for Burma revolution. Thus, there was a saying in Burmese in those days that “Burmese revolutionary started in the Chin Hills”—“Bama Tawhlan ye a sah Chin taung kah” in Burmese. This reaffirms the validity of Burmese revolution started in Chin state. 

Even so, we see the pure negligence of Burmese historians creating different versions of revolutionary history in order to dilute the truth. For many years, the Chin National Day was usually celebrated up until 1974 under the Revolutionary Council Government led by General Ne Win and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Union of Burma. However, it was the new military regime after 1988 which banned the celebrations of Chin National Day and forced the Chin people to celebrate it as Chin State Day instead within the Union of Burma. Again, the odd was turned. After an agreement has been signed between the Union level Peace Work Committee (UPWC) and Chin National Front (CNF) within the Union of Republic of Myanmar, the name bearing Chin has been reinstated for the celebrations of Chin National Day since 2013. It was a great joy, yet greater challenges lie ahead.

What more or less surprises the entire Chin people as well as international observers is that Thein Sein, President of Myanmar actively participated this year in the celebration of 67^th Chin National Day in Hakha, the capital city of Chin state. It was a celestial visit by the head of State for Chins paving wide door for a variety of interpretation. This visit of course signals that there is a nested interest in Chin state or Chin people. Meanwhile, other critics say that it is too soon to expect for more by this just a visit and this can only mean for a showcase just to promote the reputation of military-turned civilian government, as they attempt by all means to remain in power in this year election yet to take place in November.   

The grand celebration this year in Hakha is extremely meaningful, as once named the pariah state that oppressed the minority is starting to listen to the voices of much-neglected people, which is to some extent a part of greater transition into democracy. Thein Sein’s participation in Chin National Day celebration can be somehow construed that the country is being prepared to resolve the conflicts that plagued the country for half a century by achieving peace deal with all of ethnic armed groups despite adversity.   

People in Chin state magnificently enjoyed the tested spirit of National Day amidst the two parallel of influences contesting between the armed group (CNF) and domestic forces of reform-minded political parties, including those of the ruling government, the so-called SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) party. Diaspora people are sandwiched between those ambiguous lines, too.

For Chins, Facebook, a social platform was massively overwhelmed with photos of the Chin National Day celebrations making people more engaged in a connected world with fostering a new sense of nationalism. The dynamism of this sense is partly shaped by the evolving technology.

Great event though it seems to be, there comes a great challenge for diaspora community regarding whether the National Day should be upheld on Feb 20 or a different day which can be set on the nearest weekend date, Saturday for purpose of full participation. It is purely because of the difficulty to get a day off for a group of people at the same time for the fact that Chin people living in western countries are working in factories and companies by groups due to the language problem. As a result, many communities target nearest Saturday for celebrating the National Day. Traditional games such as wrestling (Lai paih), literature competition (essay writing) and other sport games were arranged depending on the situations and places with a view to instill young generation with the ethos of motherland.

Much has been expected to build up the broken unity that has been lost for decades, although it is acknowledged that the consequences of “conquer and divide” policy used by the British colonial are still taking roots in the Chin society. This sentiment has hampered building the common ground a harmonious unity enjoyed by the forefathers in a wider context.

The resettled Chin population scattering across the western developed nations as well as to Scandinavian nations, generally in Norway and Denmark also celebrated the Chin National Day, irrespective of each of their community availability and functioning. Some endeavored to do it by a combination of tradition and cultural performances and special speeches to be remindful of the past events.

Furthermore, it is unlikely possible for those living in the west, as is stated above, to enjoy days-off for the sake of Chin National Day whereas Chin people are just employee and employers do not even understand the existence of Chin National Day-- not to extend further. Some suggest that if the Burmese government grants Chin National Day as a nationl holiday, it can be likely possible to reinforce for those living in the West and Europe. It is this problem that only a very few community can make it successfully happened on the exact day, Feb 20.

Another energy-sipping problem facing the diaspora Chin community is that there is a big debate over the use of national flag; some, mostly from Hakha-Thantlang community, prefer using the flag designed by CNF and other only want to use the flag recognised by the government of Myanmar which was used while ago in Hakha. In spite of taking advantage over globalization, technological advances and new accumulated knowledge to help gain the impetus for setting the common ground out of our diversity starting from those living in developed country, it is apparently evident that the narrow-mindedness caused by lack of education rather take hold in the Chin society.  

It is highly concerned that the National Day celebrations would be creating further divide in the future as long as the dogma people hold is taking roots in the diaspora Chin community—hating each other, disregarding each other even though we Chin are from the same fabric of society with bearing the same identity of Chin.

Part of central to the issue is that language becomes a direct conflicting issue challenging the already divided diaspora Chin communities across the globe. With acknowledging the needs to more forward, the attempts are made to have a combined service wherever more than three tribes live in the same city; such are Tedim (Zo and Zomi), Falam, Hakha-Thantlang, Matupi, Mindat, Kanpalet and Paletwa. Some succeeded with no essence of national spirit, but some resulted in vain.  

However, in the particular case of Zomi, the only tribe that hates to use Chin among all tribes in Chin Hills, did celebrate Chin National Day by their own by using Zomi National Day. Zomi cannot be used for resettling in third countries via the resettlement process arranged by UNHCR. And this clearly questions why this people want to use Chin name for resettlement purpose and immediately oppose the use of Chin name once resettled in third countries.

The tiny state has a population of an estimated 1.5 million; currently more than 50,0000 people inland and more than 60,0000 around the surrounding territories and around 30,0000 of diasporas. It also has a strong diversity, with more than 49 dialects spoken. This is indeed a blessing in disguise. The too much competing forces undermine the attempt to create a common language, and it can be created if there is a will in the future. Burmese is thus the official common language for communication among the same identity even in the motherland and any elsewhere in the world for Chin. Sadly, some dialects have been in a position to be extinct.  

Chin state is recorded the poorest state amongst other 13 states and divisions in Myanmar in a research conducted by UNDP, with additionally other government reports indicating that Chin had the lowest rate of pursuing higher education in 2005.

As we remember the struggle done by our forefather and celebrating the National Day in honor of our liberty from feudalism and British colonial rule, it should be of a good use to address the above pressing issues facing our population. For now and then, the Chin needs a second time liberation from poverty and education while the fight for self-determination and federalism is ongoing. Successful elimination of poverty and improving education will have a deeper essence of the Chin National Day celebrations. 

Note: It is hereby acknowledged that the historical accounts mentioned in this article are quoted from Pu Lian Uk who is a historian and wrote a short piece of the said accounts on Chin online forum.