About IWGIAIndigenous peoples in Burma
Burma’s diversity encompasses over 100 different ethnic groups. The Burmans make up an estimated 68 percent of Burma’s 50 million people. The country is divided into seven, mainly Burman-dominated divisions and seven ethnic states.
While the majority Burmans consider themselves to be indigenous, it is the marginalized indigenous groups referred to as “ethnic nationalities”, including the Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Karenni, Chin, Kachin and Mon, that are commonly considered to be indigenous.
Burma has been ruled by a succession of Burman-dominated military regimes since the popularly elected government was toppled in 1962. The regime has justified its rule, characterized by the oppression of ethnic nationalities, by claiming that the military is the only institution that can prevent Burma from disintegrating along ethnic lines.
After decades of armed conflict, the military regime negotiated a series of ceasefire agreements in the early and mid-1990s. While these resulted in the establishment of special regions with some degree of administrative autonomy, the agreements also allowed the military regime to progressively expand its presence and benefit from the unchecked exploitation of natural resources in ethnic areas.
In 1990, the military regime held the first general elections in 30 years. The National League for Democracy, a pro-democracy party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won over 80% of the parliamentary seats and the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), a coalition of 12 ethnic political parties, won 10% of the seats. However, the regime refused to honor the election results and never convened the parliament.
Download the 2011 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in Burma to read more about major developments and events during 2010
