The Karen People
There are about seven million Karen people living in southeastern Burma, about half a million Thai-Karen whose ancestral villages are in Thailand, and smaller groups of Karen people living in India and other South-East Asian countries. Around 140,000 Karen refugees live in refugee camps in Thailand and around 50,000 refugees have settled in America, Canada, Australia, and some European countries. Most Karen people live as subsistence farmers who live in small mountain villages, and growing rice and vegetables and raising animals. The Karen language includes three dialects; the Sgaw, Pwo and the Pa'o. There is no Chinese influence in the making of the Karen language as much of it derives from Burmese scripts. The majority of the Karen follow Theravada Buddhism. Traditionally Karen people have practiced Animism (spirit worship) while many also practice Buddhism which is a very open religion allowing both Buddhism and Animism to coexist effectively.
In the 19th century, Britain colonized Burma and destroyed the Burmese monarchy. Burma regained its independence in 1948 in which a civil war broke out between the government, the Karen, and other ethnic minority groups. In 2013, there has been little fighting in the Karen State, but extortion and forced labor by the Burmese Army remains.
In the 19th century, Britain colonized Burma and destroyed the Burmese monarchy. Burma regained its independence in 1948 in which a civil war broke out between the government, the Karen, and other ethnic minority groups. In 2013, there has been little fighting in the Karen State, but extortion and forced labor by the Burmese Army remains.