A military junta changed the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 following the violent suppression of a popular uprising. In practice, however, both terms have been used for centuries. Lonely Planet uses Myanmar as the default name for the country, with Burma used for periods before 1989 and when it's the name of an organization, eg Burma Campaign UK. Hundreds of members of Myanmar’s Parliament remained confined inside their government housing in the country’s capital on Tuesday, a … EXPLAINER: Myanmar, Burma and Why the Different Names Matter Why does one country have two different names? Connect We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Though Barack Obama referred to Myanmar when he met the country’s former president, Thein Sein, for the first time, the American embassy still … Myanmar recently "opened" to the masses. The country’s name was changed only in English. “The ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. The nation is also bordered by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. When Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won the historic 2015 elections, some observers wondered if it would resolve one of her country’s most symbolic issues on the international stage: what to call it. https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-burma-or-myanmar-3554964 (accessed March 5, 2021). In the Burmese language, “Myanmar” is simply the more formal version of “Burma.”. Lonely Planet uses Myanmar as the default name for the country, with Burma used for periods before 1989 and when it's the name of an organization, eg Burma Campaign UK. In awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2017 to the International... For Immediate Release, The formal name of this country has been Myanmar but the US still uses the name Burma . Some countries, like Australia, have taken a mixed approach, at times using both names as a way of registering concern over human rights abuses and offering a gesture of support for the country's embattled democracy movement, while also bowing to the formal demands of diplomatic protocol. Myanmar. Definition and Examples, ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Geography of the Countries Bordering China, A Country's Shape Can Impact Its Fortunes and Destiny, The Countries Where Coca-Cola Is Not Sold, World War II Pacific: New Guinea, Burma, & China, B.S., Criminology, California State University Fresno. Visit Myanmar, also called Burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland Southeast Asia.In 1989 the country’s official English name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar; in the Burmese language the country has been known as Myanma (or, more precisely, … - The Africa Report, Could Kazakhstan Efforts to Repatriate Foreign Fighters Be a Model? Then, people of the country should be called Myanmarnese or Myanmar citizens, I think. The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) is expected to win Myanmar’s general elections on November 8, but the 2020 race is much more hotly contested than 2015. The formal name of this country has been Myanmar but the US still uses the name Burma . Myanmar's military said in a statement broadcast on Myawaddy TV, a military-owned network, that it had declared a year-long state of emergency because "the voter lists which were used … He has been studying international security issues and Asian affairs for 45 years, as a diplomat, strategic intelligence analyst and research scholar. It is hard to speak Myanmar. The democratically elected govenment (who used to be the opposition and used to call it Burma) also call it Myanmar now. The military regime, however, has said that “Burma” only refers to its largest ethnic group and is not inclusive of the country’s other 134 ethnic communities. Myanmar authorities, alarmed by the surging growth of autonomous zones where criminal interests operate under the protection of domestic militias, are moving to curb the influence of Chinese transnational crime groups in those areas and impose the rule of law. They have both been used within Burma for a long time, … Myanmar/Burma: Council adopts conclusions The Council today adopted conclusions condemning the military coup carried out in Myanmar/Burma on 1 February 2021 in the strongest terms, and stressed that the EU stands with the Burmese people . Myanmar or Burma is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. Jump to. Myanmar activists called out the real estate developer for ties to the nation’s military, which seized power in a coup. It is bordered in north and northeast by China, in east by Laos and Thailand, in west by Bangladesh and the Indian states of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Should it be Burma or Myanmar? The answer to what one should call the Southeast Asian country depends on whom you ask. Thursday, June 21, 2018 Myanmar is the official name of the country upended by a military coup this week. Johnson, Bridget. આ દેશ છે- મ્યાનમાર, જેને બર્મા પણ કહ... | Myanmar or Burma? However, because not all nations recognize the country's current military leadership, not all recognize the name change. ma A country of southeast Asia on the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. In et dolor vel tellus elementum dictum. But in 1989, one year after the ruling junta brutally suppressed a pro-democracy uprising, military leaders suddenly changed its name to Myanmar. Myanmar, also known as Burma, was long considered a pariah state while under the rule of an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011. Burma is the name which was called by British colonialists. EXPLAINER: Myanmar, Burma and why the different names matter. Ditto ubudpuppy's post. This week, the military upended years of quasi-democratic rule in Myanmar, with soldiers taking control of the country in a carefully orchestrated coup. In most cases, Myanmar is more formal than Burma. Joe Biden referred to the country as Burma in a statement condemning the military coup. Review the list of restricted areas published by The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism; Make arrangements to stay in a registered hotel or guesthouse. Also known as Burma (which was formerly the official name). The United States government continues to use the name “Burma.” U.S. Assistance to Burma The United States has a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of the people of Burma. Yangon International Airport will be closed till May (Xinhua, 01.02.2021). Read the Burma (Myanmar) country information page. The result was a landslide for the NLD, which gave it a majority in the combined Union Assembly (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw). The U.S. and others that have not recognized the name change generally argue that it was made without the consent of the people and was thus illegitimate. Lonely Planet - Simon Richmond • 6d. Lonely Planet - Simon Richmond • 7d. The country was called Burma after the people - the Burmese, the ethnic majority in the nation - but was changed to Myanmar in 1989 by the ruling junta. Grants & Fellowships What's the country called? Updated Wednesday, 3rd February 2021, 4:40 pm. EXPLAINER: Myanmar, Burma and Why the Different Names Matter Why does one country have two different names? Changed by the military government in 1989 from Burma to Myanmar, much of the international … - Voice of America. Myanmar, Burma And Why The Different Names Matter For generations, the country was called Burma, after the dominant Burman ethnic group. It's located at the northeast edge of Southeast Asia and … The script in which the Myanmar … The United Nations uses Myanmar, defaulting to the nomenclature wishes of the country's rulers, but the United States and the United Kingdom do not recognize the junta and thus still call the country Burma. In the Burmese language, “Myanmar” is simply the more formal version of “Burma”. Officially, the country is called Myanmar but according to the people in Washington, the country is still classified as Burma and the choice is very political like everything about the nation itself. Myanmar – also known as Burma – has seen tensions between its Government and the military following an election last year. 13 talking about this. It's also important to standardise the name to enhance the global brand of our country and since it's not going to go back to being called Burma officially anytime soon we need to encourage people to stick to Myanmar. However, the British soon began to covet Myanmar's rich resources and initiated the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. The Etymology of the Names Burma and Myanmar Believe it or not, both English-version names, Burma and Myanmar, come from the same origin: the Bamar people. Myanmar lost some of its recent conquests but was basically unscathed. Some … What are you looking for? Projects Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. Indeed, in April 2016, she told the foreign diplomatic corps that it did not matter whether her country was called Burma or Myanmar, as “there is nothing in the constitution that says you must use any term in particular”—in fact, the constitution clearly states that the country is called the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Media organizations will often use Burma because their readers or viewers better recognize that and cities such as Rangoon, but not as easily recognize the junta's nomenclature. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. Myanmar is the written, literary name. On November 8, 2015, a general election was held which, by most accounts, was reasonably free and fair. When critics asked why the elections had not been cancelled in war-stricken Paletwa, where security concerns are most acute, the UEC called off elections in parts of that Chin State town and restored them in a few village tracts in Rakhine. The British took control of southern Burma at that time and added the rest of the country to its Indian sphere after the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885. Praesent at vestibulum velit. But, in 1989, the military ruling junta decided to change the official name from Burma to Myanmar, after a review of colonial-era names used for the country, cities – Rangoon became Yangon – and province titles. Myanmar is the literary form, which is ceremonial and official and reeks of … The British took control of southern Burma at that time and added the rest of the country to its Indian sphere after the … Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19. These unexpected talks are the first signs of progress toward a resolution of the seemingly intractable war—that is, if the sides can learn from the past and create a fresh, inclusive renewal of the peace process that draws on the country’s diverse voices advocating for peace. Blog, The United States Institute of Peace Legal and Privacy Information | FOIA Inquiries, Nobel Prize Underscores Heightened Nuclear Tensions, Myanmar: Army Moves Against Chinese Crime Groups in Autonomous Zones, Myanmar Elections 2020: Ethnic Tensions and a Military Hand, Election Cancellations in Rakhine State Could Signal Trouble for Myanmar, Singapore deal Moon wants Biden to inherit was flawed: US experts - The Korea Herald, U.S. Perceptions of China in the Pandemic Era and Implications for U.S. Policy - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Egypt – UAE: Has Libya come between the longtime allies? In fact, Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi said after taking a landslide victory that the takeover was completely legal . Find out why there are two names for this country and what its significance is ગુલાબને જો તમે અન્ય કોઈ નામથી બોલાવશો તો … A country in Southeast Asia. But in 1989, one year after the ruling junta brutally suppressed a pro-democracy uprising, military leaders suddenly changed its name to Myanmar. In Myanmar, there are 135 national ethnic groups such as Kachin , Kayah ,Karin, Chin,Mon, Bamar, Rakhine , Shan etc. "There's a formal term which is Myanmar and the informal, everyday term which is Burma. In that time, five different peace efforts have failed, leaving Burma in what constitutes the world’s longest running civil war. Andrew Selth; Adam Gallagher. But in 1989, one year after the ruling junta brutally suppressed a pro-democracy uprising, military leaders suddenly changed its name to Myanmar. Refer to Myanmar and Burma: the words have the same linguistically and origin. Burma seems to be derived from “Bama” which is the main ethnical group in Myanmar and we have 8 ethnical groups. Myanmar was known as Burma until 1989. The reason for these changes vary and may occur after In July 1989, the new military government changed the country's name once again, this time to the Union of Myanmar, long the country’s vernacular name. Myanmar (Burma) Latest News: Trains halted during nationwide general strike (Globe and Mail, 22.02.2021). She is a senior fellow specializing in terrorism analysis at the Haym Salomon Center. Questioned about the official name of the country soon after her party took office in 2016, Aung San Suu Kyi stated her continuing preference for the colonial-era term Burma, but said that both names were acceptable. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. In 2008, after promulgation of a new national constitution, the country’s official name was changed yet again, this time to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. As of 2017, the population was about 54 million. But even in Myanmar locals continue to use both names. - Lonely Planet. When Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won the historic 2015 elections, some observers wondered if it would resolve one of her country’s most symbolic issues on the international stage: what to call it. For example, Rangoon—then the country’s administrative capital—became Yangon. EXPLAINER: Myanmar, Burma and why the different names matter. In official documents issued by the Biden administration, the country with beaches on the Andaman Sea is Burma. Myanmar, also called Burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland Southeast Asia. You may want a definitive answer as to whether it’s really ‘Burma’ or ‘Myanmar’, but few people will give you one. The British – who colonised and ruled Myanmar for more than 100 years, from 1824 to 1948 – called it British Burma and on independence, it became the Union of Burma. This decreed English transliteration changes of geographic locations, including Burma, becoming Myanmar and the capital Rangoon becoming Yangon. The United Nations uses Myanmar, defaulting to the nomenclature wishes of the country's rulers, but the United States and the United Kingdom do not recognize the junta and thus still call the country Burma. (2020, August 27). At home, though, it changed nothing. Both names have been used in … "Is It Burma or Myanmar?" The Bamar are the largest ethnic group in Myanmar. Myanma is the written, literary name of the country, while Bama … Myanmar is the literary form, which is ceremonial and official and reeks of government. 'Burmese' is used for the Bamar people (not for all of the country's population, which we term 'the people of Myanmar'), the food and the … Ask LP: What name should I use - Myanmar or Burma? ThoughtCo. Andrew Selth is an adjunct associate professor at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, in Brisbane, Australia. The Southeast Asian nation's name was changed from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, but the United States still refers to it as Burma. Wednesday, 3rd February 2021, 4:38 pm. So use of Burma can indicate non-recognition for the military junta, use of Myanmar can indicate a distaste for the colonial powers past who called the country Burma, and interchangeable use of both can indicate no particular preference. Is It Burma or Myanmar? Yet, the United States and the United Kingdom, among a small group of countries, continue to use the name Burma. 3 Mar 2021. Six killed as Myanmar forces crack down on anti-coup protests. As a result, it was able to elect a new president in 2016 and pass a law creating the position of state counselor for Aung San Suu Kyi (who under the 2008 constitution is unable to become president). But in 1989, one year after the ruling junta brutally suppressed a pro-democracy uprising, military leaders suddenly changed its name to Myanmar. The city of Rangoon also became Yangon. Rangoon also became Yangon.” At The Thaiger we’ve decided to refer to the country as ‘Myanmar’ and the people as ‘Burmese’. A newspaper seller points at a front-page of a newspaper in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Where was this complete coup, in Myanmar or Burma? Myanmar or Burma is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. By then, Burma was an international pariah, desperate for any way to improve its … Burma, which became the country’s official name under British colonial rule and stuck after independence, was used primarily in spoken language, whereas Myanmar was the formal term generally used in written communication. Publications Johnson, Bridget. Associated Press Published 2 February 2021 Why does this Southeast Asian nation, which has zoomed back into international focus following a military coup on 1 February 2021, have two names? Not only were the new names considered more accurate, but they also shed any implied connection to the country’s colonial past. The Military’s Move to Myanmar If you decide to travel to Burma: See the U.S. Embassy's web page regarding COVID-19. At home, though, it changed nothing. Many foreigners still use the name “Burma” since it’s quite easier to pronounce than “Myanmar” and also the new name is not quite known. Changed by the military government in 1989 from Burma to Myanmar, much of the international community agreed to recognize the name change. Myanmar is a kind of indicator of countries that are soft on the regime. In fact, Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi said after taking a landslide victory that the takeover was completely legal . ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/is-it-burma-or-myanmar-3554964. If you have NEVER been to Southeast Asia, you have 20 days, and you have no plans to come back, I would suggest doing both. The growing political frustration of the country’s non-Burma ethnic nationalities is fueling insurgencies and the military-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Party, and its armed forces patrons, are criticizing the government and attacking the country’s feeble electoral institutions. Vietnam has been open for years. All flights suspended until 30 April (Business Times, 02.02.2021). The nation is also bordered by the Andaman Sea … 'Burmese' is used for the Bamar people (not for all of the country's population, which we term 'the people of Myanmar'), the food and the language. The military said the seizure of power was necessary because the government had failed to act on its … Its capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (Rangoon). Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Dr. Selth has published six books and more than 50 peer-reviewed works, most of them about Burma and related subjects. "Is It Burma or Myanmar?" The United States still officially refers to it as Burma, even though the country's leadership renamed it Myanmar about 20 years ago. Share. Johnson, Bridget. For generations, the country was called Burma, after the dominant Burman ethnic group. The ruling military changed the country's name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989. Flip. The country’s name was changed only in English. Burma, which became the country’s official name under British colonial rule and stuck after independence, was used primarily in spoken language, whereas Myanmar was the formal term generally used in written communication. The two words mean the same thing but Myanmar is the more formal version. For generations, the country was called Burma, after the dominant Burman ethnic group. Nearly three years since the NLD’s electoral victory, the U.S. seems no closer to changing its policy on what to call the Southeast Asian nation. However, since the country’s November 8 elections, there has been a flurry of meetings between ethnic-armed organizations and the military, known as the Tatmadaw. The official name of our country is Myanmar. On October 16, when it took the stunning and sweeping decision to cancel most of the vote in Rakhine State on November 8, the Union Election Commission (UEC) disenfranchised an estimated 73% of Rakhine voters, in addition to the Rohingya who had been stripped of voting rights in 2015. The country is also known as Burma … The UEC justified its decision on the grounds that the election could be neither free nor fair because of ongoing armed conflict in the state. Myanmar is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to … Myanmar is the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia and the 10th largest in Asia by area. After the Myanmar armed forces crushed a nationwide pro-democracy uprising in September 1988, the country’s official name (in English) was changed from its post-1974 form, the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, back to the Union of Burma, which had been adopted when Myanmar regained its independence from the United Kingdom in January 1948. By then, Burma was an international pariah, desperate for any way to improve its image. / What Is a Military Dictatorship? We use some essential cookies to make this website work. The Sino-Tibetan official language of the country of Myanmar, also known as Burmese . Officially, on paper, the country’s name is Myanmar. Myanmar or Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is a country in Southeast Asia. The country’s name was officially changed by the military government that took over in 1988. By then, Burma was an international pariah, desperate for any way to improve its image. Press alt+ /to open this menu. Official name: Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Accessibility Help. It is clear. Locally, “Myanmar” is more used. Early civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1st century with archaeological evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra), Beithano (Visnu), and Hanlin. At the same time, a number of other place names were changed to conform more closely to their original pronunciation in the Burmese language. What is … Contact: Meg Pierannunzi,... USIP has a variety of newsletters and announcements with the latest analysis, publications and events. Meanwhile, Burma is the colloquial, oral name. Countries around the world have been changing their names throughout history. Mark Farmener, of Burma Campaign UK, says: "Often you can tell where someone's sympathies lie if they use Burma or Myanmar. Landmark & Historical Place. By: Search for experts, projects, publications, courses, and more. Burma has faced various ethnic conflicts since shortly after its independence in 1948. Ask LP: What name should I use - Myanmar or Burma? . What is the meaning behind the two names? Myanmar is the “literary” form of the Bamar group name, and Burma is the colloquial version. The way Myanmar’s ethnic nationalities experience the process will have major implications for peacemaking efforts moving forward.  Â, Democracy & Governance; Electoral Violence. In 1989, the ruling military government changed the name from Burma to Myanmar after thousands were killed in an uprising. Burma : Burma 1 (myanmar 2) union of burma 3 pyidaungzu myanma naingngandaw country overview location and size. Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal south. Many governments, such as Australia’s, decided to use both Burma and Myanmar, as means of signalling support for the democratic transition … [The name change] is a form of censorship." Like all other countries, it uses “Myanmar” in formal correspondence with the Naypyidaw government, but the U.S. still publicly refers to “Burma.” Given Aung San Suu Kyi’s tolerance of “Burma” and current tensions between the two countries over the Rohingya question, a decision by the U.S. to accept the name Myanmar seems unlikely any time soon. … Stay on top of Myanmar latest developments on the ground with Al Jazeera’s fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated maps. A few governments, activist groups, and news media outlets, however, still cling to the old forms, primarily as a protest against the former military regime's refusal to put the question of a name change to the people of Myanmar. So use of Burma can indicate non-recognition for the military junta, use of Myanmar can indicate a distaste for the colonial powers past who called the country Burma, and interchangeable … Journalist Bridget Johnson has covered news and foreign policy for USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/is-it-burma-or-myanmar-3554964. - Lonely Planet. Myanmar (English pronunciation below; Burmese: မြန်မာ) or Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, is a country in Southeast Asia. Myanmar or Burma: Why Do the Different Names Matter During the Military Takeover, Explained A cyclist bikes past a signboard with an image of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Yangon, Myanmar Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. In Burmese or Myanmar language, Burma is known as either Myanma or Bama. Like. She told the assembled foreign officials that she personally preferred “Burma” but would use “Myanmar” from time to time, to make everyone “feel comfortable.”. The old names were also believed to be the preference of Aung San Suu Kyi. Sections of this page. A decision by the U.S. to accept the name Myanmar seems unlikely any time soon. The military government changed the country’s name to “Myanmar” in 1989. The new names have been accepted by most countries, the United Nations, and other major international organizations. So it seems not quite fair to other ethnical groups and “The Union of Myanmar” solves the problem and feel more united! Myanmar is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. However, the British soon began to covet Myanmar's rich resources and initiated the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. By Finlay Greig. Myanmar lost some of its recent conquests but was basically unscathed. Myanmar has been changed it’s name from “Burma” to “Myanmar” in the late 1980s. Where was this complete coup, in Myanmar or Burma?