Closing ceremony of Mon language class held in Rangoon

Kaowao

The closing ceremony of 36th Mon Summer Course was held in Rangoon at the Mon Dhamma Centre, reported from the Mon Culture and Literature Committee (MCLC) in Rangoon.

Mon National Democratic Front leader Nai Tun Thein and MCLC Chairman Min Thaung Shin were seen at the event on May 8, 2009. Over 400 Mon students from different townships, such as San Chaung, Insein, North Dagon, North Okkalapa, South Okkalapa, Palae, Anan Pin and Daw Pon, finished the course which was organized by the MCLC (Rangoon).

According to a Mon community leader in Bahan Township, there are over 20,000 Mon people in the former capital but most of the young Mon generation are assimilated into Burmese culture and cannot speak their mother tongue. This course provided an opportunity for youth to learn more about their culture and traditions.

Centralization of the Burman dominated government to control the ethnic populations has affected the life and culture of diverse nationalities in Burma. Buddhist monasteries and self-supported community schools serve as the centres for Mon national education and about 60,000 students attended the course in Mon and Karen states during the summer season.

Yangon (Rangoon) was known as Dagon and ruled by the Mons before the Burmese king U Aung Zeya invaded in 1757.