Karen Womenhood
"Her office there to rear, to teach,
Becoming as is meet and fit
A link among the days, to knit
The generations each with each."
Becoming as is meet and fit
A link among the days, to knit
The generations each with each."
Tennyson.
IT has truly been said "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." A country or nation which disregards its womanhood could never be counted truly great; whereas a nation that respects its womanhood has invariably proved itself superior to other nations. It is said that at the height of the glory of Rome, the class of people that wielded great power were the Greek women who had the care of Roman homes as well as that of the children, in their education and up-bringing. The Greek women so unostentatiously did their work that the public at large were not aware of it. Karen women, with their simple ways, their gentle and modest manner, have won the respect and admiration not only of their own people but also of the people of other nationalities who have known and observed them.
Co-education has been a great success among the Karens. It has been proved to be such for the past fifty years or more. At a meeting of a well-educated and talented group of Burmans, a Burmese lady made the following remark: "I have attended a Christian Karen co-educational school as well as a Burmese Girl's school, and my candid opinion is that co-education among the Karens will always be a success, while among the Burmese it always is bound to be a failure. There is something in the nature of the Burmese boys and girls that will never be compatible with co-education. I am Burmese and am fully aware of what I have siad."
In educational as well as in religious matters Karen women have taken a prominent part. They love English music, and have the ability to learn, with facility, simple as well as difficult music. On the 10th March, 1927, the Bassein-Myaungmya Karen Women's Association held a meeting at Bassein. The Christian women of Bassein-Myaungmya and other districts were present. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the Association and the munber of women present was estimated to be about four thousand. The programme consisted of a musical concert and several addresses of welcome by wives of prominent pastors and elders. Their speeches were thrilling and inspiring. The musical entertainment was very enjoyable, and the catering was efficciently conducted in spite of the large number of guests. One woman proudly declared that they had not in vain striven to show the people that man's aid was not absolutely essential to women. General acquiescence was given to her statement because her boast had been amply justified.
Karen girls are homely and motherly, and thus European ladies highly appreciate them as baby nurses and housekeepers. Being patient and gentle, they make efficient sick-nurses and midwives whose services are highly appreciated by the Burmese as well as other nationalities. Those who in their illness have entrusted their lives to the care of these nurses have always thought of them with gratitude. While they are a great asset to the nation, Karen nurses present some really difficult problems. Some of them are mere girls - unsophisticated as to the ways of this world. They are simple and uninitiated in the evils of the world. Some years have elapsed since Karen girls first took up this profession of a nurse. Each succeeding year sees an increase in the number of applications for joining the hospitals-Dufferin and General-and now nursing has become a fashionable rage. Girls hailing from all classes have become nurses, and I am certain that in Burma there are more nurses to be found among the Karen than in any other single race of the country. We cannot stem the tide, but we should see that every provision is made for their protection.
It is gratifying to note that at Rangoon there is a Burmese and Karen branch of the Y.W.C.A which attempts to bring the nurses together and provides for their physical and religious needs. It was started and led well on its way by Mrs. Nellie Yaba-Min, and is now in the charge of Tharamu Naw E Kyaing, of Rangoon. A nurse's remuneration is good, but the hardship that she is called upon to endure! A doctor diagnoses his case, writes a prescription and then leaves the patient to the long-suffering nurse, who has to satisfy every little need of the patient-no matter how fastidious such may be. Members of so noble a profession are deserving of respect and kindness to make their hard lot easier both physically and morally. Temptations beset them on all sides, and only the initiated are aware of the nature of the evils.
Westerners have frequently associated Burma with her "delightful women." I do not pretend to include Karen women in this category. They are usually too timid or unobtrusive to attract notice. But, however unostentatious they may appear in a gaily plumaged throng of Burmese women, in their own homes they are the delight of their children. There are at present a number of Karen woman graduates, and the number is steadily increasing. A photograph showing Judson College with its faculty members and Karen college boys and girls appears facing page 54.
Karen women are generally hardy-possessing an enviable physique. In the districts women have been as successful in cultivation as the men. They plough, sow and reap with comparative ease, and a farmer's life is not too strenuous for them. Though timid and shy in society, Karen women have displayed wonderful courage in the face of real danger. At a certain village a Karen woman whose house was raided by a number of dacoits stood behind the door, armed with a dah, and hacked at the intruders one by one as they made their exit. This feat-worthy of an Ali Baba,--was performed single-handed by a Karen woman!
Many Karen girls have chosen teaching as their vocation in life. The life of a school teacher is a very trying one. Our Karen women have contributed a great deal towards educational progress in Karendom. In music they teach the village children the rudiments of the tonic-sol-fa system--preparing them for the larger city schools. Some people have remarked favourably on the muscal tendency of Karens in general. We dare not, as yet, hope for a Patti, a Melba, or a Clara Butt, but then our nation is not yet sufficiently westernised.
In a Karen family the husband and wife are on an equal footing. They strive to aid each other--the husband is not the sole arbiter of domestic disputes. The wife is a partner:
Co-education has been a great success among the Karens. It has been proved to be such for the past fifty years or more. At a meeting of a well-educated and talented group of Burmans, a Burmese lady made the following remark: "I have attended a Christian Karen co-educational school as well as a Burmese Girl's school, and my candid opinion is that co-education among the Karens will always be a success, while among the Burmese it always is bound to be a failure. There is something in the nature of the Burmese boys and girls that will never be compatible with co-education. I am Burmese and am fully aware of what I have siad."
In educational as well as in religious matters Karen women have taken a prominent part. They love English music, and have the ability to learn, with facility, simple as well as difficult music. On the 10th March, 1927, the Bassein-Myaungmya Karen Women's Association held a meeting at Bassein. The Christian women of Bassein-Myaungmya and other districts were present. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the Association and the munber of women present was estimated to be about four thousand. The programme consisted of a musical concert and several addresses of welcome by wives of prominent pastors and elders. Their speeches were thrilling and inspiring. The musical entertainment was very enjoyable, and the catering was efficciently conducted in spite of the large number of guests. One woman proudly declared that they had not in vain striven to show the people that man's aid was not absolutely essential to women. General acquiescence was given to her statement because her boast had been amply justified.
Karen girls are homely and motherly, and thus European ladies highly appreciate them as baby nurses and housekeepers. Being patient and gentle, they make efficient sick-nurses and midwives whose services are highly appreciated by the Burmese as well as other nationalities. Those who in their illness have entrusted their lives to the care of these nurses have always thought of them with gratitude. While they are a great asset to the nation, Karen nurses present some really difficult problems. Some of them are mere girls - unsophisticated as to the ways of this world. They are simple and uninitiated in the evils of the world. Some years have elapsed since Karen girls first took up this profession of a nurse. Each succeeding year sees an increase in the number of applications for joining the hospitals-Dufferin and General-and now nursing has become a fashionable rage. Girls hailing from all classes have become nurses, and I am certain that in Burma there are more nurses to be found among the Karen than in any other single race of the country. We cannot stem the tide, but we should see that every provision is made for their protection.
It is gratifying to note that at Rangoon there is a Burmese and Karen branch of the Y.W.C.A which attempts to bring the nurses together and provides for their physical and religious needs. It was started and led well on its way by Mrs. Nellie Yaba-Min, and is now in the charge of Tharamu Naw E Kyaing, of Rangoon. A nurse's remuneration is good, but the hardship that she is called upon to endure! A doctor diagnoses his case, writes a prescription and then leaves the patient to the long-suffering nurse, who has to satisfy every little need of the patient-no matter how fastidious such may be. Members of so noble a profession are deserving of respect and kindness to make their hard lot easier both physically and morally. Temptations beset them on all sides, and only the initiated are aware of the nature of the evils.
Westerners have frequently associated Burma with her "delightful women." I do not pretend to include Karen women in this category. They are usually too timid or unobtrusive to attract notice. But, however unostentatious they may appear in a gaily plumaged throng of Burmese women, in their own homes they are the delight of their children. There are at present a number of Karen woman graduates, and the number is steadily increasing. A photograph showing Judson College with its faculty members and Karen college boys and girls appears facing page 54.
Karen women are generally hardy-possessing an enviable physique. In the districts women have been as successful in cultivation as the men. They plough, sow and reap with comparative ease, and a farmer's life is not too strenuous for them. Though timid and shy in society, Karen women have displayed wonderful courage in the face of real danger. At a certain village a Karen woman whose house was raided by a number of dacoits stood behind the door, armed with a dah, and hacked at the intruders one by one as they made their exit. This feat-worthy of an Ali Baba,--was performed single-handed by a Karen woman!
Many Karen girls have chosen teaching as their vocation in life. The life of a school teacher is a very trying one. Our Karen women have contributed a great deal towards educational progress in Karendom. In music they teach the village children the rudiments of the tonic-sol-fa system--preparing them for the larger city schools. Some people have remarked favourably on the muscal tendency of Karens in general. We dare not, as yet, hope for a Patti, a Melba, or a Clara Butt, but then our nation is not yet sufficiently westernised.
In a Karen family the husband and wife are on an equal footing. They strive to aid each other--the husband is not the sole arbiter of domestic disputes. The wife is a partner:
"Yet child-simple, undefiled,
Frank, obedient----waiting
On the turnings of your will."
Frank, obedient----waiting
On the turnings of your will."
Our women may not yet have attained the ideal of womanhood as set forth by Ruskin in his book Sesame and Lilies, but it is our fervent hope that they are making effective strides towards it. Adam echoes our sentiments when he say:
"God! I render back
Strong benediction and perpetual praise
. . . . . . . .
That Thou, in striking my benumbed hands
. . . . . . . .
Has left this well-beloved Eve, this life
Within life, this best gift between their palms,
In graclous compensation!"
Strong benediction and perpetual praise
. . . . . . . .
That Thou, in striking my benumbed hands
. . . . . . . .
Has left this well-beloved Eve, this life
Within life, this best gift between their palms,
In graclous compensation!"
Reference: Dr. San C.Po, C.B.E., Burma and the Karens, Chapter VIII, pg 54-57, 1928
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