Who are the Karen?

The Karen (pronounced kah-rin with the second syllable accented) are one of many ethnic groups found in southeast Asia. All through the countries of India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos and more, ethnic groups like the Karen, Mon, Chin, Kachin, Lahu, Akha, Shan, Palaung, Hmong, Lawa, Wa, Lisu, Mien or Yao, etc. can be found. Each of these groups have their own distinct language, culture, and traditional style of dress. While ethnically distinct from each other, they are sometimes lumped together under the term "hilltribe" since some are from mountainous regions. Further complicating the picture, is that within each major ethnic group there sub groups speaking various dialects and with cultural variations as well.

Karen Language

The two largest sub-groups of the Karen are the Pwo and Sgaw. The Sgaw are the more dominant in number so it is not unusual for a Pwo Karen to speak the Sagw dialect. But it is rare to find a Sgaw that can speak the Pwo dialect. The two dialects while similar in many ways, are not mutually understandable.

There are also regional differences within each dialect as well. For example, a 'y' sound in Mae Sariang is a 'z' sound north of Chiang Mai. Some 's' sounds in Thailand, are 'th' sounds in Burma. The Tower of Babel lives on!

American Baptist missionaries first put the Sgaw Karen language into writing in the 1800s using the Burmese script that is composed of a series of circles and loops. The Sgaw Karen language has 25 consonants and 9 vowels. There are no final consonants. The good news is that one can learn to read and write Karen relatively easily since the writing system is phonetic. Many Karen words are couplets. For instance "love" can be translated "dta aeh" but to be proper and maybe a little poetic one would say the second half of the couplet as well - "dta aeh dta gwee".

Karen Origins and Current Locations

Many believe the Karen originated in China and Mongolia and migrated south, arriving in what is now Burma as early as 739 BC. They along with the Mon, may have been some of the earliest settlers to the region. When Southeast Asia country boundaries were drawn back in the early European colonial times, they included many ethnic groups in each country. As in the case of the Karen, sometimes the the boundary between two countries divided a people-group. Today, estimates range from 7 million to over 10 million Karen living in Burma; and between 300,000 and 500,000 Karen, in Thailand.

In general, the Karen prefer to live in lowland areas and make a living growing rice in flooded paddy fields where possible. Many Karen however, do live in higher areas and grow rice on the hillsides using slash and burn agriculture. Of course, life styles are changing due to war, displacement and government policies depending on where the Karen live.

Karen Culture

Culturally, the Karen are known as an easy going and pleasant people. They will often avoid direct confrontation, preferring to solve problems going through a third party. Showing strong emotions is something to be avoided and losing one's temper in public is frowned upon. Physical contact between the sexes is not generally done in public though holding hands and arms around shoulders within the same sex is seen as normal and friendly.

For more information on culture, see "Karen Cultural Tips" under "Resources".

Spiritual Beliefs

Traditionally, the Karen were animists, worshiping spirits and often trying to keep them from creating problems in their lives. Many Karen will also be Buddhist where they have been in proximity to Thai and Burmese. Estimates vary, but about 30% of the Karen are Christian, with many having their Christian roots in the Baptist church.

Diet

Rice is the base of the diet and no meal is complete without a heaping helping. A kind of hot chili sauce also accompanies most meals. In lean times, rice and chili sauce may be all there is. Along with the rice though, a variety of soups and stews (often translated as "curry" even if no curry is present) are served. Where finances permit, the Karen have borrowed liberally from the Thai, Chinese and Burmese and will eat a variety of foods. Traditionally, the Karen would eat with their hands, only using spoons to dip into hot liquids. Guests are served first, eating around a low table. The family or hosts would eat after any quests have finished. Meals are pretty businesslike, with the friendly chatter saved mostly for after the meal, away from the table. After dinner, sitting in a wider area, the Karen will relax, drink tea, chat, smoke and chew betel nut.

(Last updated 4/1/07)