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AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY SAO SANDA SIMMS AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 This book is dedicated to the memory of my beloved husband, Peter Simms, who believed in me. Also by Sao Sanda Simms The Moon Princess: Memories of the Shan State. http://amzn.to/2pzO1hf AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 E-MAIL: [email protected] HARD COPY: www.lulu.com/asianhp ONLINE: https://goo.gl/JycnYT ISSN (print): 1835-7741 ISSN (electronic): 1925-6329 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008944256 CALL NUMBER: DS1.A4739 SUBJECTS: Uplands-Asia-Periodicals, Tibet, Plateau of-Periodicals All artwork contained herein is subject to a Creative Commons, Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. You are free to quote, copy, and distribute these works for non-commercial purposes so long as appropriate attribution is given. See https://goo.gl/nq06vg for more information. CITATION: Simms, Sao Sanda. 2017. Great Lords of the Sky: Burma's Shan Aristocracy. Asian Highlands Perspectives 48. COVERS: Images depict important events and senior dignitaries. ASIAN HIGHLANDS PERSPECTIVES Asian Highlands Perspectives (AHP) is a trans-disciplinary journal focusing on the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions, including the Southeast Asian Massif, Himalayan Massif, the Extended Eastern Himalayas, the Mongolian Plateau, and other contiguous areas. The editors believe that cross-regional commonalities in history, culture, language, and socio-political context invite investigations of an interdisciplinary nature not served by current academic forums. AHP contributes to the regional research agendas of Sinologists, Tibetologists, Mongolists, and South and Southeast Asianists, while also forwarding theoretical discourse on grounded theory, interdisciplinary studies, and collaborative scholarship. AHP publishes occasional monographs and essay collections both in hardcopy (ISSN 1835- 7741) and online (ISSN 1925-6329). The online version is an open access source, freely available at https://goo.gl/JOeYnq. The print edition is available to libraries and individuals at-cost through print on demand publisher Lulu.com at https://goo.gl/rIT9lI. The journal currently has a core editorial team of four members and a consultative editorial board of twenty-five experts from a variety of disciplines. All submissions to the journal are peer-reviewed by the editorial board and independent, anonymous assessors. AHP welcomes submissions from a wide range of scholars with an interest in the area. Given the dearth of current knowledge on this culturally complex area, we encourage submissions that contain descriptive accounts of local realities - especially by authors from communities in the Asian Highlands - as well as theory-oriented articles. We publish items of irregular format - long articles, short monographs, photo essays, fiction, auto-ethnography, and so on. Authors receive a PDF version of their published work. Potential contributors are encouraged to consult previous issues. AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 EDITORS CK Stuart, Tshe dbang rdo rje , Rin chen rdo rje , and Susan Dan Su ཚ(cid:2)(cid:3)དབང(cid:3)(cid:7)ོ(cid:3)(cid:9)ེ(cid:11) རིན(cid:3)ཆེན(cid:3)(cid:7)ོ(cid:3)(cid:9)ེ(cid:11) COPY EDITORS Gabriela Samcewicz and Gaye Carlson EDITORIAL BOARD Barbara Brower Portland State University Bianca Horlemann Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Bill Bleisch China Exploration & Research Society Charlene Makley Reed College Daniel Berounský Charles University Daniel Miller US AID Emily Yeh University of Colorado Fernanda Pirie University of Oxford Geoffrey Samuel Cardiff University Gray Tuttle Columbia University Hildegard Diemberger University of Cambridge Huadan Zhaxi (Dpal ldan bkra shis ) Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin དཔལ(cid:3)(cid:18)ན(cid:3)བ(cid:19)(cid:3)ཤིས(cid:11) Jermay Jamsu ('Gyur med rgya mtsho ) Independent Scholar འ(cid:23)ར(cid:3)མེད(cid:3)(cid:25)(cid:3)མཚ(cid:26)(cid:11) Juha Janhunen University of Helsinki Katherine Morton The University of Sheffield Keith Dede Lewis and Clark College Keith Slater SIL International and University of North Dakota Mark Bender Ohio State University Mark Turin University of British Columbia Paul K Nietupski John Carroll University Sarah E Fraser Universität Heidelberg Sienna Craig Dartmouth College Toni Huber Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Veronika Zikmundova Charles University AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 NOTES Every effort has been made to obtain permission from contributors for the use of their materials. I apologize for any errors or omissions and would be grateful if notified of corrections that should be incorporated in future editions of this book. Apologies are also due for any misidentification of persons. Many of our elders with fading memories were unable to tell us who was who, and others have passed away. Consequently, unintentional mistakes may have been made. To rectify any further wrong labelling, I appeal to all concerned to help identify our ancestors. Please go to saohpa.org and submit changes that you deem necessary. FAMILY TREES Many Shan dynasties go back centuries, but for the Family Trees in this book, the charts begin from the late nineteenth and twentieth century for convenience and easy recognition. The numbers I, II, III, IV, and V represent generations. Children are shown as II1 for the first child, II2 for the second child, and so on. Ensuing generations are indicated by, e.g., II1, II2 and III1, III2 and IV1, IV2, and so on. Multiple wives of the princes are shown as IWife1, IWife2, IIWife1 and IIWife2, and so on. Wives and children are shown as for example, in the Hsipaw Family Tree: First generation I Sao Kya Kai/Sao Hkun Hseng Saohpa No.85 First generation Wife1 IWife1 Meiktila Supaya, sister to King Thibaw (married 6 wives) Second generation Child1 II1 Sir Sao Hke, Saohpa No.86, (married 24 wives, only 4 wives are shown here) Second generation Wife1 II1Wife1 name unknown Third generation Child1 III1 Sao On Kya, Saohpa No. 87 Third generation Wife1 III1Wife1 Sao Thunanda, Mahadevi of Hsipaw Third generation Child2 III2 Sao Kya Nyunt m. Sao Kwang Tai, Kengtung Saohpa Second generation Wife2 II1Wife2 name unknown Third generation Child1 III1 Sao Ohn Mar SPELLINGS Variations in spelling have not been changed especially for family trees, e.g., Khun/Hkun, Htun/Tun, Long/Loang, Hseng/Seng, Ohn/Ong/On, Mong/Murng/Merng, and so on. An effort has been made though to standardize spellings for the names of the princes, towns, and states. •5• AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 PHOTO CREDITS Antony Barrington Brown, MBE MA FRPS The Donnison Collection The James Green Centre for World Art, Brighton & Hove Museums David Hkio, Mong Mit Sao Hseng Hpa Namhkok Sao Khai Hpa, Kengtung Arthur and Huk, Mong Kung and Hsenwi Sao Noan Oo/Nel Adams, Lawksawk Pa-Oh Youth Organization Beatrice Potter River Books, Bangkok Mark Verfaille The Shan Cultural Museum, Yawnghwe The Shan Cultural Museum, Taunggyi Shan Herald News Agency Chiang Mai Shan Literature and Cultural Association, Taunggyi Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization, Chiang Mai Wat Fah Wiang Inn in Chiang Mai FAMILY PRIVATE COLLECTIONS Baw, Hopong. Hsahtung, Hsahmong Hkam, Hsenwi, Hsipaw, Kantarawadi, Kengtung, Kesi Mansam, Kokang, Laikha, Lawksawk, Loi Long, Mong Kung, Mong Lun, Mong Pawn, Mong Nai, Mong Nawng, Mong Yai, Namhkok, Pangmi, Pangtara, Pwehla, Samka, Tawngpeng, Yawnghwe, Ywangan •6• AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ABM American Baptist Mission AFO Anti-Fascist Organization AFPFL Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League AA Arakan Army ASEAN Association of Southeast Asia Nations ATM Ahmudan gaung Tazik ya Min, ATM Medal for Good Work (as a civil servant) AVG American Volunteer Group BIA Burma Independence Army BL British Library, London, England BNA Burma National Army CIA Central Intelligence Agency CIE Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire CPB Communist Party of Burma DSI Defense Services Institute DSO Distinguished Service Order (British military decoration) ECAFE Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East EAO Ethnic Armed Organizations FSS Federated Shan States HMG His Majesty's Government/Her Majesty's Government ICS Indian Civil Service (ICS) ISEAS Institute of Southeast Asian Studies KCIE Knight Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire KIA Kachin Independence Army KDF Kokang Self-Defense Force KMT Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist, also White Chinese) KNLP Kayan New Land Party KNU Karen National Union KPLA Kokang People's Liberation Army KRF Kokang Revolutionary Force KSM Kyat thaye zaung shwe Salwe ya Min, highest Burmese honors title created by the British MEC Myanmar Economic Corporation MEHC Myanmar Economic Holdings Corporation MIS Military Intelligence Service MNDAA Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army MTA Mong Tai Army NDAA National Democratic Alliance Army NLD National League for Democracy NSH Noom Suik Harn 'Young Warriors' OBV Oxford Buddha Vihara PDP Parliamentary Democracy Party PLA Peoples Liberation Army, Chinese Communist PNA Pa-O National Association (pa-ah-ma-sa) •7• AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 PNF Palaung National Front PNO Pa-O National Organization (pa-ah-ma-ha) PRP People's Revolutionary Party PSLO/P Palaung State Liberation Organization/Party PVO Peoples' Volunteer Organization PWD Public Works Department RAF Royal Air Force SCA Shan Cultural Association SCOUHP Supreme Council of the United Hill Peoples SEATO Southeast Asia Treaty Organization SHRE Shan Human Rights Foundation SNDP Shan National Development Party SNLD Shan National League for Democracy SNUF Shan National United Front SSA Shan State Army SSAE Shan State Army East SSA(N) Shan State Army North SSHPO Shan State Hill People's Organization (ya-at-sa-nya-pha) SSIA Shan State Independence Army SSK (1943) Shan States and Karenni, List of Chiefs and Leading Families (1943) SSNA Shan State National Army SSNLO Shan State Nationalities Liberation Organization SSPLP Shan State People's Liberation Party (ya-pa-la-ha) (U Tun Aye) SSPO Shan States People's Organization SSPFL Shan States People's Freedom League SSPP Shan State Progressive Party SSUP Shan State Peasant' Union (ya-at-la-sa) SSWC Shan State War Council SSYL Shan State Youth League SUA Shan United Army SURA Shan United Revolutionary Army TDM Thuye gaung ngwee Daya min 'Silver Sword for Bravery Award' TNA Thai Northern Army TNLA Ta'ang National Liberation Army UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNPO Union National Pa-O Organization USDP Union Solidarity and Development Party USSPO Union of Shan State People's Organization UWSA United Wa State Army WNC Wa National Council WNO/P Wa National Organization/Party •8• AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 CONTENTS NOTES <5> ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS <7> CONTENTS <9> THE AUTHOR <15> MAPS <17> (cid:1) Map 1: Political Divisions, Union of Burma, 1948 <17> (cid:1) Map 2: Location of Shan States, 1939 <18> (cid:1) Map 3: Resources of the Shan Plateau <19> (cid:1) Map 4: Major Ethnic Groups of Burma <20> PREFACE <21> ACKNOWLEDGEMENT <23> PART ONE: BACKGROUND CHAPTER ONE: THE EARLY PERIOD <26> (cid:1) The Shan Plateau <26> (cid:1) Migrations <27> (cid:1) The Early Ava Court <28> (cid:1) Differences <30> (cid:1) Mutual Respect <32> (cid:1) The Limbin Confederacy 1886 <33> (cid:1) British Annexation <34> (cid:1) Under the British 36<> (cid:1) Changing Times <36> CHAPTER TWO: BRITISH RULE <41> (cid:1) The Watershed 1922 <41> (cid:1) Burma Round Table Conference 1931-1932 <43> (cid:1) Federated Council of Shan Chiefs <45> (cid:1) The Feudal Lords <47> (cid:1) The Privy Purse <48> (cid:1) Contentment? <50> (cid:1) Some Progress <51> CHAPTER THREE: THE INTERIM <58> (cid:1) A Storm Approaches <58> (cid:1) Enter the Japanese <58> •9• AHP 48 GREAT LORDS OF THE SKY: BURMA'S SHAN ARISTOCRACY by Sao Sanda Simms AHP 48 (cid:1) Japanese Occupation <60> (cid:1) Distrust <63> (cid:1) Return of the British <64> (cid:1) SCOUHP 1946 <68> (cid:1) Attlee-Aung San Treaty <69> (cid:1) Anti-feudalists <70> (cid:1) Namkham U Htun Aye <73> CHAPTER FOUR: PANGLONG AND AFTER <77> (cid:1) The Panglong Agreement of 1947 <77> (cid:1) Committee of Inquiry 1947 <79> (cid:1) Tragedy <80> (cid:1) Constituent Assembly <81> (cid:1) Selecting a President <82> (cid:1) Insurgency <84> CHAPTER FIVE: TEN LONG YEARS <91> (cid:1) Disenchantment <91> (cid:1) To Secede or Not, 1958 <93> (cid:1) Tatmadaw's Soft Approach <95> (cid:1) The 1959 Abdications <96> (cid:1) New Elections <97> CHAPTER SIX: WITHOUT TRUST <103> (cid:1) The Federal Proposal <103> (cid:1) U Tun Myint <105> (cid:1) No Compromise <107> (cid:1) The Coup d'etat 1962 <110> PART TWO: GUARDIANS OF THE SHAN PLATEAU CHAPTER SEVEN: THE NORTHERN SHAN STATES <121> (cid:1) Hsipaw State <121> o Fate Unknown <121> o Hsipaw State <123> o The Saohpa Long <124> o Strained Relations <126> o Japanese Occupation <127> o The Tabaung Festivals <128> (cid:1) Hsenwi State <140> o Hsenwi Saohpa Long <140> o Japanese Disapproval <141> o Flight to Safety <142> o Shan-Kachin <144> o Burma Road <145> o Dr. Gordon Seagrave (1897-1965) <146> (cid:1) Mong Yai State <155> •10•