Episode #59: Courage in Chinland
Today’s episode takes the listener on a virtual tour of Chinland. After touching briefly upon the historical, religious, and cultural background of the Chin people, we examine how Chin communities have been impacted by the disastrous Burmese military coup.
Our guest is Mark, a Chin from the Zomi tribe. The Zomi are one of many different Chin groups, each with its own unique language and culture. While Chin State occupies the northwestern part of Myanmar, Mark explains how Chin peoples can be found throughout India and Bangladesh. Like many communities the world over that live off the earth, the Chins practiced animism prior to the 19th century. But with the arrival of Western missionaries, Christianity has become their main religion.
Mark was raised in a religious home, and his faith continues to play an essential role in life. He notes: “It's a core belief that I have in my heart. It is this preaching of love, of caring, that is routed in the Bible teaching. I was growing up in a community where this Bible teaching has been a very strong core value for my family.”
For Mark and his fellow Chin Christians, the military coup represents not only a loss of basic political freedoms like so many others throughout the country, but also a loss of religious freedom. He recalls how before the recent democratic reforms, freedom of worship was by no means guaranteed, and the Burmese military would routinely visit Chin communities to destroy crosses and churches. For them, a return to military rule represents a return to days when their faith could not be practiced openly, without fear of reprisal.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the first known act of armed resistance since the February 1st coup was launched by Chins in Kalay. Mark shares how Chins have always prided themselves on an independent spirit: they fought with the Allies against the Japanese in World War II, and against the British before that during the Colonial period. As a result, they enjoyed a degree of autonomy that few other ethnic groups in Greater Burma had during that period.
Even today, home-made flintlock “Tumee” rifles can be found in every Chin household. That weapon was used to ward off the British and is also a mainstay for hunting. That same hunter spirit has motivated many Chin to resist the Burmese military, although Mark has his concerns. While he salutes the bravery shown by Chin youths, he is concerned that the tumee is only able to fire off a single bullet once every few minutes, rendering it ineffective against a Burmese force with automatic weapons.
The Tatmadaw has exerted particularly brutal pressure on the Chin people, most notably in Mindat, where their city-wide assault resulted in 90% of the residents having to flee into the jungle. Mark is doing everything he can to help them, and shares a particularly tense call with a female organizer who at one point simply pleaded with Mark to keep her in her prayers. He describes the encounter in more detail: “So when I had the chance to talk to that lady organizing help with the group, she cried on the phone, even while talking to a stranger like me, who she never before met. So that is how tense the situation is over there. They are raping the woman. They are killing brutality. My contacts there even say to me, ‘I don't know who these soldiers are! They are like crazy, or high with something. They are not like humans, they are very cruel.’”
All this is a far cry away from Mark’s pre-coup job as a business trainer, a position he was excelling at after getting his MBA from a university in England. Like so many, Mark feels helpless, but is doing what he can to send resources to those fleeing the brutality. These days, Mark’s religious faith is more relevant than ever, and in addition to frequent prayer sessions, various verses from the Bible are providing solace. Of particular note is Psalm 23, which he often finds himself reciting:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”