Christianity reached Myanmar (formerly Burma) in 1500, but evangelization proper began in 1722 when the Holy See entrusted the region to the Barnabites. But it was difficult to spread the Gospel because the Burmese were almost all convinced Buddhists. In the mid 19th century missionaries from France (MEP Paris Foreign Missions) and Italy (PIME Pontifical Missionary Institute) were more successful among the numerous ethnic groups marginalised by Burmese society.
The two world wars brought upheaval which affected both the people and the missionaries. But nonetheless in 1955 the hierarchy was established. In 1965, following a coup by Ne Win who the set up of a socialist republic – Catholic mission schools and hospitals were nationalised. Foreign missionaries who had entered the country after 1948 were expelled. Since that time only one or two have been allowed to return. This was the start of a period of isolation for Burma and for the Church in that country. In 1961 Buddhism was proclaimed the state religion and people converting to another religion were to be charged with treason. But evangelisation continues, making progress among the Shan Karen, Kayan, Lahu, Akka Mon and Kachin tribes.
Today, out of a population of 45.9 million there are 521, 000 Catholics gathered in 12 dioceses and 252 parishes. There are 21(3 archbishops and 18 bishops), 429 priests (401 diocesan and 28 Religious); there are 65 Brothers, 1,049 Sisters and 204 major seminarians.
Catholic Movement to Kayan Region
According to Khu kayan, Kayans have been convented to Christianity since 1722. In the year 1858, when the Christian missionary Catholic priest "Bigandat" got to Taungu, he found out that some of the Kayan had already become Christians. In 1868, Catholic priests got to 'Laketho', when the Geba lived for missionary works. Since that time, some Geba began to profess Christianity. The priests who had preached on Christianity were 'Bidefi', 'Tonar Torel', 'Cabon' and 'Tangress Conti', who were sent by the priest 'Bigandat'.
In 1870, Catholic priests made Taungu their missionary, head quarters and sent the priest 'Bifi' to the lands of the Kayah to carry out the extensive missionary duties. During that period, the priest 'Cabon' was at 'Laketho', during his missionary works. Later the priest Tonar Torel came to help the priest 'Cabon' with his works. They did the missionary work in the region where the Geba and Gekho lived. Due to their intensive missionary work, in the years between 1873 and 1876, the Geba and the Gekho became Christians.
While during their missionary duty, as there was still no literature for the Kayah, the priest G.Contic invented the literature of the Geba, in which language and written form, the books of prayers and songs for the choir were invented.
In 1890, the head priest 'Bigandat' at Yangon made the priest Tonan Torel the head of the group of priest at Taungu. But Tonan Torel handed over his duty to the priest 'G. Conti' and travelled along the Kayah mountainous regions, doing missionary work. Due to these priests, some of the Kayah, Kayan La-whi, Kayan Ka-ngan, and Kayan Ka-dot became Christians.
In 1909, the priest Tonan Tore died and the priest 'Se Grada' succeeded to his place. During time of 'Se Grada', the number of Christians among the Kayan increased a lot. The Reverend Se Grada made tours yearly in the region, extending missionary branches at suitable places, for each of which a priest was assigned to do missionary work. Thus extended missionary branches were founded in 1915 in Hli-thar-saw, in 1916 in Decmoso, in 1928 in Daw Rauk Khu and in 1933 in Loikaw.
The following are detail histories of dioceses where Kayan are settling.
1.Taungngu Diocese
2.Thaunggyi Archdiocese
3.Loikaw Diocese
4.Phekon Diocese
Traditional religion
Kan
Kayan’s traditional religion is called Kan Khwan, and has been practiced since the people migrated from
The major religious festival is the 3-day Kay Htein Bo festival, which commemorates the belief that the creator god gave form to the world by planting a small post in the ground. During this festival, held in late March or early April, a Kay Htoe Boe pole is erected and participants dance around the pole.
This festival is held to venerate the eternal god and creator messengers, to give thanks for blessings during the year, to appeal for forgiveness, and pray for rain. It is also an opportunity for Kayan from different villages to come together to maintain the solidarity of the tribe.
The Kayan have a strong belief in augury and nothing is done without reference to some form of divination, including breaking thatch grass, but most importantly consulting the chicken bones(in Burmese it is called kyet yoe htoe).
In present times the annual Kay Htein Bo festival is always accompanied by a reading of the chicken bones to predict the year ahead. Fowl bone prognostication can be witnessed in the Kayan villages in
Statistics published in 2004
Statistics published in 2004 lists 306 Kayan villages, out of which 209 are Roman Catholic, 19 Kan Khwan, 32 Baptist, 44 Buddhist and 2 Byamaso.
Catholic 68.3%
Buddhist 14.5%
Baptist 10.45%
Kan khwan 6.2%
Byamaso .65%
Originally from the following sources.
References:
http://www.ucanews.com/
http:/www.superiorkayan.com
Kayan’s traditional religion is spirits. Small invisible tangible "men", with wings at the hip. The spirits are all thing which are invisible. Examples: Emotions; diseases; concerns; thoughts; ideas; dangers; morality; jealousy.
ReplyDeleteIf missionaries cut the spirits so indigenous lose their self-preservation operation, and dies of drug abuse or drinking.
But it is the missionary not care they just have saved the soul, the body is ready to die.