The History Of Changing The Name Of The State Of Burma To Myanmar With Social And Political Implications

Myanmar flag (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Changing the country's name from Burma to Myanmar has implications for the country's social and political life. The history of changing the name of this country became a polemic because two "big" countries, such as the United States and Britain, had refused to admit it. So what is the real background for the change in the name of the Southeast Asian country?

Quoting the United States Institute of Peace website , after the Myanmar military junta crushed a pro-democracy rebellion in September 1988, the country's official name was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar today, 18 June, 31 years ago (1989). The name Union of Burma itself was coined when this country succeeded in wresting its independence from Britain in January 1948.

At the same time, a number of other place names were also changed. For example, Rangoon City - which is the capital city of the country - was changed to Yangon.

The new name has been recognized by the majority of UN countries. However, there are those who still refer to this country as Burma, namely the US and Britain. Australia, on the other hand, has sometimes taken a mixed approach.

Implications

Director of the NGO Burma Campaign UK, Mark Farmener, explained that the mention of Burma or Myanmar focuses more on sympathy. The term Burma seems to indicate sympathy for supporters of the pro-democracy movement who have no sympathy for the military junta leadership.

Even though the Farmener actually said the title was not very meaningful. "There is no very strong call from the democracy movement that says you can't call it Myanmar, they are just against the legitimacy of the regime," he was quoted as saying by the BBC .

Meanwhile, the anthropologist who has written extensively on Burmese politics, Gustaf Houtman, both names have long been used there. Burma is actually the name for the nation. Meanwhile, Myanmar is a literary clash, which is official ceremonial in nature and smells of government.

Houtman said, when Burmese write for publication, they use "Myanmar" but when they speak daily they use "Burma". However, the use of this name also has a political background.

As the linguist from the University of Western England, Richard Coates, said adopting traditional and formal names was an attempt by the junta to break away from the colonial era. "The local opposition groups do not accept that, and may prefer to use the colloquial name, Burma. At least until they have a government with the legitimacy of the people," Coates said .

How about now?

When Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the 2015 elections, many people wondered the fate of the dualism of the country's name. Are they going to keep using Burma or Myanmar.

Asked about the country's official name as soon as his party came to power in 2016, Aung San Suu Kyi said he continued to vote for Burma's colonial-era rule, but said both names were acceptable.

In April 2016, he told the foreign diplomatic corps it didn't matter whether his country was called Burma or Myanmar. "Because, there's nothing in the constitution that says you have to use any terms specifically." In reality, the constitution clearly states that the country is called the United Republic of Myanmar.

He told the assembled foreign officials he personally preferred "Burma". But he will use "Myanmar" from time to time, to make everyone feel comfortable.

Meanwhile, the military junta said that "Burma" only refers to the majority ethnic group, not including the 134 other ethnic communities in the country. In practice, however, both terms have been used for centuries.

In addition, many countries have agreed if that country uses its new name, Myanmar. But the US and UK are still with their old stance. The US and UK still do not want to admit it because they are still arguing that the change was made without the consent of the people and thus it is illegitimate.

Burma, which became the country's official name under British colonial rule. While Myanmar is a formal term generally used in written communication.