It is mainly the Karen who have retained arms to continue their fight for autonomy. Isolated and without outside support, but unified under the Karen National Union (KNU), they have been fighting to maintain their culture and tradition. Their history of resistance entered its 53rd year at the end of January 2001. It is said that the oldest civil war since the end of World War II is this war of resistance by the Karen of Burma.
December 23rd last year, I stepped into the
mountains of Burma. I returned on January 6th. In the mountains, there
was no hint of the New Year festivities enlivening the cities.
In the midst of nature, only by watching sunset follow sunrise could I feel the passage of time. While in the mountains, I could not help but ponder the meaning of the Time and History humans have created.
