The Karenni People

By Pyar Mo and Noba Htoo

Karenni History

Myanmar, formerly Burma, is a nation located in Southeast Asia with more than

135 different ethnic groups. It borders Thailand, India, Bangladesh, China, and

Laos. Karenni is also known as Kayah. It is the smallest state in Myanmar, with an

estimated population around 286,627.

Karenni, also

called Kayah-Li

(Red Human), is

taken from

bright color of

their cloth.

Karenni Language

Karenni people speaks Kayah-Li. Although Karenni sub-

groups speak the same language, dialects are different

from one group to another. There are two types of

alphabets used with the Karenni language. Kayah-Li is

used for everyday life and the Roman alphabet is used in

religion.

Karenni King

Kay Poe Du, the last king

Flag Symbol

The Karenni flag is red, white and blue – the red symbolizes courage,

the white symbolizes honesty

and the blue symbolizes righteousness.

The symbol in the middle is a drum which is a traditional Karenni instrument; it symbolizes togetherness

as music brings people together.

Karenni Anthem

Karenni Culture

Celebration

Dee Ku

Kay Htoe Boe

Karenni New Year

Karenni National Day

Dee Ku Symbol of unity, women makes sticky rice with bamboo leaves

which can last up to 4 or 5 days without rotting or smelling.

Back in the history Karenni people used sticky rice when they

fought the Yun King and drive them out of their land.They

celebrates their success and unity with sticky rice packed in

bamboo leaves.

Kay Htoe Boe: An animist belief, every year, Karenni people build a pole to

protect their health. In order to maintain their health, people must dance around

the pole and make music.

Karenni New Year

Celebrates and honors their past and welcomes a brighter and hopeful future.

Karenni National Day - June 21

Celebrates their independence, honors and appreciates their country, cultures,

customs, history, and people who serve to protect their homeland.

Karenni culture

materials

Bamboo Flute

Homespun Cloth

Drum

Traditional food

Dishes

Rices

Noodles

Fries

Sports

Check Loa

Soccer

Volleyball

Bamboo walk

Karenni Ancient Money

Farming

Karenni people are mostly farmers since the weather is warm and humid.

They plant all kinds of vegetables and fruits. They have very strong work ethic,

and don’t complain. They also raise pigs and chickens.

The Karenni and the Burmese Military

● In order to maintain control over natural resources and

trying to destroy Karenni culture and people.

● Karenni used to be an independent state but the

Burmese military won’t let them have their own

independence.

● The Burmese army has destroyed hundreds of Karenni

villages and large areas of natural resources.

● Children were being recruited as child soldiers.

Thousands were forced to flee their homeland.

Karenni Refugees in

Thailand

● 22,000 Karenni people live in a

camp along the Thailand-Burma

border

● They live in bamboo huts, without

electricity or running water.

● They have no connection to the

rest of the world.

● Children are born in the camp and

have never seen the world

outside of the camp

Karenni in the U.S.

● In 2010, Karenni people started

coming to the US.

● A lot of them have a tough time

getting used to their new life.

● Indiana is home to the largest

Burmese refugee community in

the US. About 3,500 refugees

are living across the state .

● Many work in stores.

● Many do not learn English.

Waiting to go back home

● A lot of them want to go back to

their homeland

● They work hard to send back

some money.

● No matter where they are,

going back to the motherland is

on their mind.

We are Karenni.