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Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Ethnic Groups Research Database |
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Record |
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Subject |
Paganyaw S'gaw Kanyaw (Karen), Phlong(Karen),origin,settlement,Burma |
Author |
Saw Hanson Tadaw |
Title |
The Karens: Their Origin and Early Movements |
Document Type |
Article |
Original Language of Text |
English |
Ethnic Identity |
Phlong Pwo, Paganyaw,
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Language and Linguistic Affiliations |
Sino-Tibetan |
Location of
Documents |
The Archives, Payap University |
Total Pages |
5 |
Year |
1962 |
Source |
The Nation Supplement : Rangoon, July 8. |
Abstract |
The main focus of the article is on the Karen language which is similar to Chinese, because Karen is a tonal language. However, word orders are different from Chinese. The language aspect is used as important evidence of the group’s migration in addition to the duration of migration before or after other ethnic groups. The Karen have legendary stories similar to those in the Bible, but it cannot be ascertained if they are related or they are a coincidence. However, there are no written historical records of their origin. Oral tales about their migration from the north to the south indicate that their origin was in the north and they migrated southward to Burma via the Shan State before spreading to the west and south. The Karens are classified into three groups: Skaw, Pow and Bwe. The author believes that Pow Karens might have been the first to migrate, followed by Skaw and finally Bwe, considering their settlements and distribution in various regions of Thailand and Burma.
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