A Historical Study on the Origin of Karen Ethnic Problem in Myanmar

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25884044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: History of Asia and Africa
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: IKEDA KAZUTO 大阪大学, 言語文化研究科(研究院), 講師 (40708202)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ミャンマー / ビルマ / カレン / 民族 / 歴史観 / 分割統治 / ナショナリズム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The origin of ethnic problem in Myanmar has long been attributed to the British colonial policy of divide-and-rule in the first half of the 20th century. This research shows, by focusing on the Karen issue, the most critical and long-enduring ethnic problem in contemporary Myanmar, that this historical understanding has been forged by the Burman Thakin nationalists who in fact failed to design an acceptable ethnic relations for the independent Myanmar. The formation and function of the Thakin historiography are also elaborated.

Free Research Field

アジア・アフリカ史