Latest Twitter Threads by @EdithMirante on Thread Reader App

Oct 22 • 24 tweets • 10 min read

1. This History Thread is about #Yangon (Rangoon) the largest city in Myanmar (Burma.) It has been a vital center of commerce, culture & administration as well as the scene of massive demonstrations in 1988, 2007 & (against the coup) 2021. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Dagon, a Mon village with sea trade, existed in 11th C. where Yangon (Rangoon) is today. Royalty & pilgrims visited Shwedagon Pagoda there, mentioned in records from 14th C. In 1586 British Ralph Fitch called it “the fairest place, I suppose, that is in the world.”

Jul 13 • 25 tweets • 11 min read

1. This History Thread is about Mandalay, a city in central Burma (Myanmar) on Irrawaddy River. Mandalay has been royal capitol, battleground, fire disaster, resistance center & more during its eventful history. In news now for revolutionary forces. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar 🌿

2. Migrations along river plains brought early settlers to an area which would much later become Mandalay. Archeological evidence indicates iron-working villages & trade circa 500 BCE. Pyu & then Burmese (Burman, Bamar) people lived there.

Apr 19 • 23 tweets • 8 min read

1. This (recent) History Thread is an overview of the trajectory of armed resistance to the Myanmar (Burma) 2021 coup as it has evolved into a relentlessly effective nationwide revolution. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar 🌿

2. People all over Myanmar immediately resisted Feb. 1, 2021 coup with street protests & Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) strikes + boycotts. As coup regime reacted violently, many in resistance turned to armed struggle. Important: CDM also continues. cnn.com/2021/05/04/asi…

Jan 11 • 24 tweets • 14 min read

1. This History Thread is a brief overview of the complex #MilitaryHistory of Shan State, a multi-ethnic region of northeast Burma (Myanmar), which is a multi-ethnic country. Shan State is currently in news for #Operation1027 against the coup regime. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar 🌿

2. Region that became Shan States of Burma, now Shan State of Myanmar has fertile plateau, rivers, hills. Bordering China, Laos & Thailand. Shan (Tai) are ethnic majority in State, smaller populations incl. Pa-O, Ta’ang, Wa, Akha, Lahu, Danu, Gurkha, Yunnan-related Chinese.

Nov 3, 2023 • 17 tweets • 6 min read

1. This History Thread is background on Kokang, the Myanmar (Burma) region bordering China which is major part of current #Operation1027 (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army & allies vs Myanmar coup regime.) 2009 conflict was especially important. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

Note: Due to recent display change on this platform, headlines are now missing for linked articles, so please click on the linked images to view linked articles for posts 4, 6, 9-14. 🐦‍⬛

Oct 13, 2023 • 19 tweets • 8 min read

1. This History Thread is about war correspondents in Burma (Myanmar.) Many reporters have covered conflicts in Burma, incl. WW2 & ethnic defense vs military dictatorship. Current anti-coup revolutionary war is reported by local & foreign journalists. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

Note: Due to recent display change on this platform, headlines are now missing for linked articles/videos, so please click on the linked images to view linked articles/videos for posts 8-16. 🐦‍⬛

May 19, 2023 • 24 tweets • 14 min read

1. This History Thread is about women of Burma (Myanmar) as soldiers & in other military roles. Women soldiers have often been providers of medical care. Current struggle vs coup regime is inclusive of female, transgender, nonbinary participants. #WhatsHappeningInBurma

2. Ancient & early modern Asia had women warriors & military leaders. Queen Chamadevi was Mon military leader of Hariphunchai (n. Thailand.) Women in lands that wd become Burma were politically powerful/influential. Legendary Queen Panhtwar of Pyu still inspires anti-coup women.

Apr 25, 2023 • 24 tweets • 10 min read

1. This History Thread is about relations of Burma (Myanmar) with Bangladesh & Pakistan. Burma’s western neighbor Bangladesh was part of Pakistan from 1947-1971. In a region of turmoil, Bangladesh/Myanmar river border has been a lifeline for refugees. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Arakan, now Rakhine State of Myanmar (Burma) was inhabited by Mro & Chakma people, later Rakhines & Rohingyas. Coastal & valley trading cities rose in Arakan from 3rd-4th C. By 14th C. Arakan a “vassal state” of Bengal Sultanate which spread out from Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta.

Nov 10, 2022 • 15 tweets • 8 min read

1. This History Thread is about relations between Burma (Myanmar) and the continent of Africa. Although far apart geographically there have been interactions in trade, diplomacy & affinities in the Colonial + post-Colonial experience. Background on #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Ancient Indian Ocean trade routes connected Southeast Asia and East Africa. Seafaring lands like Arakan, Pegu, Tavoy in what would become Burma could exchange goods with great African ports like Kilwa Kisiwani & Songo Mnara.

Aug 16, 2022 • 22 tweets • 10 min read

1. This History Thread is about the railways of Burma (Myanmar) where railway lines have been important but often neglected & become flashpoints in times of conflict. Links to short videos with posts 3, 5, 13, 14, 18. 🚂
#WhatsHappeningInBurma

2. Irrawaddy Valley State Railway Co.’s meter-gauge Rangoon-Prome line completed 1877 during British colonial control of Lower Burma. Railway reached Mandalay 1889 & lines added to Shwebo 1891, Katha 1895, Myitkyina 1898. 3 private companies taken over by Burma Railway Co., 1896.

May 29, 2022 • 25 tweets • 12 min read

1. This History Thread is about Britain’s relations with Burma (Myanmar.) A fraught legacy with centuries of trade, conflict, colonization, Independence, more trade, sanctions. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Lands that would become Burma were of interest to British East India Company due to rivalry w. Portuguese, Dutch, French. Ralph Fitch visited 1587 for BEIC. 17th-18th C. British trade, teak shipbuilding, diplomatic relations w. Ava. Conflict on Arakan border w. British Bengal.

Mar 8, 2022 • 16 tweets • 8 min read

1. This History Thread is a backgrounder on how Feb. 1, 2021 Russia-backed coup in Myanmar (Burma) relates to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine & response. Military & diplomatic support from Russia have enabled the Myanmar coup regime. 🌿#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #IStandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

2. In 2010s enabled by Myanmar crony Tay Za, Russia outpaced China’s arms sales to Myanmar. Russian sold Myanmar military MiG-29 jets, helicopters, Yak-130 training/attack jets, air defense missile systems, Su-30 fighter/attack aircraft, drones. irrawaddy.com/news/burma/bur…

Feb 23, 2022 • 11 tweets • 7 min read

1. This History Thread is about Myanmar (Burma) People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) historical & cultural iconography. Designers use visual symbols to express power, pride, heritage for PDFs resisting Feb. 1, 2021 coup regime. Insignia pix via social media. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. In Sagaing Region, Sayar San PDF-4 of YMB (Yin Mar Bin Township) PDFs has a farmer’s hat with crossed swords as symbol & Depayin PDF uses Saya San picture. Saya San was charismatic leader of 1930-32 peasant revolt with sabotage campaign against British colonial rule of Burma.

Jan 19, 2022 • 20 tweets • 9 min read

1. This History Thread is an overview of relations of ASEAN members with Burma (Myanmar.) Association of South East Asian Nations is regional political & economic organization which Myanmar controversially joined in 1997. Ineffective regarding 2021 coup. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Thailand most significant of ASEAN members for relations w. Myanmar (Burma.) Constant Burmese-Siamese Wars 16th-19th C. Burma rulers repeatedly invaded Ayutthaya (Siam) & were invaded in turn. 19th C. British colonized Burma but Siam (wd. become Thailand) remained independent.

Aug 12, 2021 • 30 tweets • 16 min read

1. This History Thread is about relations between Burma (Myanmar) and China, the powerful & influential neighbor to the north. It’s a particularly long thread (30) but is still just an overview of this complex subject. #WhatIsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Over millennia ancient migration routes along rivers connected lands that would become China with lands that would eventually be called Burma. Some peoples spoke languages of Sino-Thai family, others Tibeto-Burman languages; joined other ethnic groups inhabiting plains, hills.

Jul 7, 2021 • 20 tweets • 9 min read

1. This History Thread is about Burma (Myanmar) relations with Russia. Over many years the relationship has had some interesting twists & turns. Currently the connection consists mainly of Russian arms deals + diplomatic enabling for Myanmar coup regime. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. Among earliest descriptions of lands that would become Burma by travelers from far away: 15th C. Russian merchant Athanasius Nikitin told his readers about Pegu, “a not inconsiderable port” inhabited by “Indian dervishes” (Muslim mystics) who traded in rubies & other gems.

Jun 24, 2021 • 25 tweets • 12 min read

1. This History Thread is about the music of resistance in Myanmar (Burma.) This is a brief overview, not including all important bands or songs. It is a multi-ethnic array of many musical styles — put your headphones on & pump up the volume. 🎧 #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar 🌿

2. In the independent (often warring) lands that would become Burma, music was created by different cultures, absorbed, captured, traveling. Royal courts sponsored musicians. Resistance to tyrannical rulers was sometimes expressed in subversive, satirical folksongs & chants.

Apr 10, 2021 • 17 tweets • 7 min read

1. This History Thread is about sabotage in Burma (Myanmar) from cutting British colonial telegraph lines to hacking websites. Sabotage as a tactic is: destroying or damaging infrastructure or other property (not people) to prevent use by an opponent.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar 🌿

2. From 1880s through 1930s there were rebellions against British colonial rule in Burma. Saya San rebellion 1930-32 challenged British control w. tactics including destroying cutting telegraph lines & destroying telegraph stations, timber industry facilities & railway bridges.

Mar 19, 2021 • 12 tweets • 6 min read

1. This thread is about responses by Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) vs Myanmar coup. #R2P (Responsibility to Protect) not only international, can also apply to EAOs within borders. EAOs have various capabilities. Not all have taken a stand vs. coup. #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar 🌿

2. EAOs did little to support previous civil uprisings vs Burma/Myanmar military. Failure to join in 1988 uprising other than sanctuary for fleeing students. Failure to support 2007 “Saffron Revolution.” Few EAOs spoke out against 2016-17 govt/mil genocidal attacks on Rohingyas.

Mar 7, 2021 • 23 tweets • 11 min read

1. This History Thread is about the poetry of Burma (Myanmar) + political resistance. Myanmar is a place where poets are significant politically as well as culturally. This is a brief overview & doesn’t include all important poets. Inspired by K Zar Win: #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. From ancient times lands which would become Burma resounded with poetry. Bards like Kachin Jaiwas recited epics. Court poets incl. Arakan’s Muslim poets such as Alaol & 16th C. Lanna’s Queen Hsinbyushin Medaw composed odes, ballads, verse plays. Ainggyin were sung in villages.

Feb 18, 2021 • 17 tweets • 8 min read

1. This History Thread is a brief history of labor organizing in Burma (Myanmar.) This relates to the crucial forefront role that organized labor is taking in resistance to the Feb. 2021 military coup. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. For power-amassing kingdoms in lands that would eventually become Burma, controlling agricultural production & other types of work was a key function of the nation state. Conquered & other captive people were often used for skilled work or manual labor.

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