Karen History and Culture
Karen History and Culture Taken by: Julio Etchart Background of Karen people The Karen originated in Myanmar, which was once known as Burma. Having lived in Burma for more than two millennia, the Karen ethnic group was among the first people to settle in the area. Why are Karen people moving out from Myanmar (Burma)? According to the Karen Organization of Minnesota ( KOM ), The Karen people had hoped to flee the Burmese government's oppressive rule when British colonists arrived in Burma. When the Karen fought alongside the British allies and the Burmese sided with the Japanese during World War II, tensions between the two groups reached a breaking point. After Burma gained independence from the British in 1948, the Burmese once again became the majority ethnic group, and the Karen people were denied the right to their own land. The Burmese army launched the "Four Cuts" campaign against the Karen in the 1960s. The Karen guerrilla movement was destroyed, and entire com...