Repositioning the Bamar identity in the context of establishing a Bamar state

Repositioning the Bamar identity in the context of establishing a Bamar state

The proposal to establish a Bamar state, introduced in 1961 in Taunggyi as part of 'The Shan Federal Proposal', aimed to promote equality among Burma's eight major ethnic groups by assigning each group its state. This was seen as a potential solution to the civil war that had been ongoing since 1949. The idea emphasised equality within a democratic federation. However, it stalled after the military coup in 1962 and remained dormant until 1988. The proposal re-emerged as a policy option at the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong, held from 31 August to 4 September 2016 in Naypyidaw, and gained attention during the 2021 revolution against the military regime.

Currently, organisations such as the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the National Unity Government (NUG), and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), along with key ethnic armed organisations like the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army (AA), and Karen National Union (KNU), have not formally adopted this proposal. However, some armed forces formed after the 2021 coup, bearing the identity of Bamar, such as the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), the Burma Liberation Democratic Front (BLDF), the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA), and the Bamar Army founded in 2025, endorse the creation of a Bamar state in their founding statements and position papers. This idea is also included in the 'Standard Federal Constitution of the Federal Union of Myanmar', issued by the Federal Law Academy on 11 January this year. Online discussions organised by these stakeholders have shown support for this concept. However, the current identity politics within the revolutionary context underscores the urgent need for a clear plan to implement this agenda.

A critical issue that demands immediate attention is defining who will constitute the members of the proposed Bamar state and who will be recognised as Bamar ethnic people eligible for representation and entitlements within the proposed federation. This presentation aims to outline the evolution of Bamar identity over time and explore its role in the ongoing debate regarding establishing a Bamar state as a necessary solution to Burma’s protracted civil war. 

Speaker

Phyo Win Latt began his career as a freelance journalist in 2003 before joining the local business magazine Living Color. There, he initially served as a reporter and later advanced to the role of editor at The Voice Weekly, also published by Living Color Media Group. In 2005, he enrolled in the Master of Arts program in International Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University, completing his degree in 2006.

For the past 15 years, Phyo has lived in Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, engaging in various studies, professional endeavours, and volunteer activities with organisations dedicated to human rights, migrant issues, and refugee affairs. During this time, he gained invaluable experience working alongside journalists, politicians, academics, political and human rights activists, students, and trade unionists in multiple countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

In 2020, he was awarded a PhD in history from the National University of Singapore, with his thesis titled 'Protecting Amyo: The Emergence of Xenophobic Nationalism in Colonial Burma (1906-1941)'.

Chair

Zaw Yadanar Hein, zaw.hein@anu.edu.au

The ANU Myanmar Research Centre Dialogue Series is a conversation concerning current research on Myanmar aimed at providing scholars with an opportunity to present their work, try out an idea, advance an argument and critically engage with other researchers. International and Myanmar researchers from any discipline are invited to contribute. The Dialogue Series is particularly seeking to provide a space for early career researchers wishing to receive constructive feedback. Each dialogue is one hour long, including a 30-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A. As a hybrid series, the Dialogues are presented in both virtual and in-person format, hosted by the ANU Myanmar Research Centre.

Image by May Co Naing