Karens in Literature and Music

Karma for Karens
By Karma for Karens
10 Min Read

Karens have a prominent place in literature and music; they’re characters used to elicit strong emotional reactions. Although often depicted as racially prejudicial, Karens can also be very manipulative.

YouTube, a global music platform, provides Karen youths with an outlet to express their long-distance nationalism through music. Their production blends Karen languages and cultural symbols with hip-hop culture and rap; the result being political lyrics that speak of revolution, belonging, persecution and oppression.

1. Tempered Family

Karens are frequently portrayed in literature, especially in the form of strong women. They are often depicted as a powerful force for good or evil. However, this is not always the case. Some books and films may portray them in a more negative light, such as Miss Hilly Holbrook from Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel The Help (2009). Her character’s racially prejudicial and aggressive actions are not unlike those we witness in viral videos of the white middle-class exploiting their privilege.

Literature can also be a source of inspiration for Karen youths. This is particularly true in cases where they have been able to escape the camps and are living in remote areas. This can be seen in the works of Karen poets such as Phong Naing, who use their poetry to inspire young people (Marwick, 2012).

It is also common for writers to explore the subject of sexuality and the body in their work. This is often in the form of novels or memoirs about their own experiences. These works have the potential to become inspirational and life-changing.

In the same vein, musicians may find their creative expression through their music. This is evident in the way Karen artists use songs to highlight their culture, heritage and identity. The songs may be based on traditional instruments such as the dang or yaw and may also include lyrical content about nationalism and intergroup conflict.

The lyrics in these songs are often drawn from history, folklore and images of national importance. In addition, the lyrics are sometimes used to convey a sense of euphoria and happiness.

Similarly, songs may be about love and romance, but the lyrics can also reflect political struggles such as famine or the ongoing violence against Karens in Myanmar. Ultimately, the lyrics are meant to appeal to a global audience and maintain connections with those in the diaspora who are supporting their struggle against the military government.

The lyrics are typically written in a language which the singer is familiar with. This allows the lyrics to be in sync with their own dialect, which can make them sound more authentic. In this sense, Karen music is a vehicle for identity and national pride in the digital age. The internet and mobile phones have allowed Karen youths to connect with their kin in distant locations. Moreover, YouTube offers them an online space where they can express their identity and create their own cultural production.

2. Kawthoolei

The Karen are an ethnic group from Southeast Asia that originally immigrated from Tibet and China. Their animist religion has had an influential effect on Buddhism and Christianity alike, while their ancient culture continues to shape their way of life.

Literature plays an integral role in their culture. Hta, or hta as it’s commonly known, is their form of poetry that expresses feelings and connects writers to an imagined ethnohistory; allowing for subjective expression while strengthening cultural identity. Traditionally an oral tradition, hta has evolved into written form through modern technology.

Many in Karen communities write hta. Their writing often expresses their lives and often involves feelings of mourning or melancholia due to loss and longing that stems from displacement. A core part of Karen identity is therefore the desire to return home; thus hta plays an integral role in their culture.

Another integral aspect of their culture is music. Their repertoire often consists of folk songs and includes instruments like flutes, guitars and bamboo flutes. Furthermore, there are a variety of dances and songs to enjoy together.

These songs are performed by groups of musicians who often sing along to drums or bells. Their tunes may feature vocal or instrumental accompaniments such as the dholak (stringed instrument) or bowed horns. Some even play the xylophone or shamisen, a zither-like instrument with various timbres.

Karens are renowned for their musical traditions and poetry. Kawthoolei, Linga Di Pat and Jonathan Falla are three of the best known poets in Burma who draw inspiration from both their cultural environment as well as Karen people’s history. Their works reflect this rich heritage.

Kawthoolei, for instance, is depicted as a woman carrying out her mother’s duties in Thu Lei. She is also praised for her honesty, bravery and determination.

The Karen people have long practiced conservation, safeguarding wildlife and the natural environment. This practice dates back centuries, helping them to keep their environment in tact.

3. Saw Ka Lu

Saw Ka Lu is a Karen recording studio that has gained popularity amongst the youth of Mae La camp. Unlike previous generations of singers who sang about love and romance, this new generation of Karen artists sings about nationalism and war with passion. Furthermore, they use their musical talent to advocate for freedom and independence – an essential aspect of the Karen conflict.

For young Karen refugees living abroad, music has become an invaluable tool in maintaining connections with fellow Karen people in Myanmar and the borderlands. YouTube provides them with an aural-visual platform where they can ‘communicate their experiences, ideas and concerns’ (Chossa, 2011: 207) with people from around the world. Here, ‘cultural citizenship’ is created and challenged as new flows of shared Karen practices, interests, identities and concerns emerge in virtual coexistence.

In “Revolution,” a group of youths from Kawthoolei sing about their past and present; how military intervention has altered their lives and how they desire to create new futures. They fuse modern beats with Karen languages, cultural symbols and traditional musical influences in an effort to express Karen revolution feelings such as belongingness, persecution and oppression with hopes for peace and independent independence.

The lyrics of the music video demand a Karen revolution, with footage depicting violence between Tatmadaw and Karen people. They offer an inspiring vision of a united Karen nation free from Burma Army rule, stressing the necessity for all to join together in pursuit of their independence.

Furthermore, a video featuring an artist in full military uniform and smashing rocks with a hammer reflects the ongoing conflict between Karen and Burma Army. It alludes to Karen history of slavery and destruction under Tatmadaw rule.

4. Kawthoolei Youths

Karens have long been renowned for their literature and music. Of the many genres available to choose from, those which involve children are among the most captivating and captivating.

Kawthoolei Youths is one such group. This organization seeks to engage youths from throughout the State in a campaign for Karen independence, by educating them on Karen culture, history and traditions.

Kawthoolei Youths are proud participants in the world-renowned annual Kayagon Dance, an important rite of passage for Karen children where they can display both their talent and commitment.

Kawthoolei organizers have also included elements of its cultural identity into their programs, such as a program to educate students about the saline sand mine and its effect on local economies, an exhibition featuring Karen art forms, and an innovative school curriculum integrating math, science, and history.

Kawthoolei is not without its challenges, yet it’s possible to lead a relatively normal life there. The community faces the most significant hurdle: integrating their culture into Burma’s complex society. To address this, youths should be given opportunities and encouraged to use their innate talents for good in their fellow Karens’ lives.

Share This Article