Oddly, yes, I they are. And, mainly because of a missionary website.
During my usual (and daily) internet searches on Shan, interesting issues and links often appear from nowhere; much of it quite intriguing stuff. Today's find (and thought) was one of those days.
I located a Shan karaoke video via a Christian missionary site (for those of you familiar with this - my apologies). I had been looking for somewhere to inject some reality into my virginal Shan language studies, as they have stalled recently, particularly from lack of direct contact with Shan speakers; I have also yearned for a way to take a break from my strictly textual linguistic efforts. Anyway, before diving into some Shan singing practice, I had a few thoughts that I feel necessary to embellish upon, largely to nurture discussion.
Many of us are aware of the proliferation of Christian missionaries (and their industry) in the Shan State and among its people; this has been occuring, predominantly by Catholics and Baptists since the late 1800's. Despite my own thoughts on religion - somewhat skewed by years of Catholic boys school education and a resulting 'tinted' perspective - my respect for their exploration, efforts and lasting influence remains. It would be, for example, impossible to ignore or be blasé about the extensive and pioneering work of Rev. Dr. Josiah Nelson Cushing on the Shan language from the mid to late 1800's; Dr. Cushing's works include a grammar text, a Shan and English dictionary, various academic papers (on topics such as Shan (Tai) origins and Buddhism and Christianity among the Shan), and a translation of the Bible into Shan. Although his work ethic and its products were, for him, encouraged by a desire to serve Christianity and the 'spread its word', it is hard not admire his prolific and thorough body of work. Furthermore, for a dedicated missionary, many of his works and their intentions are firmly set in academic pursuits, rather than within the realm of missionary rhetoric that one might expect. Maybe that is why they remain in use (to an extent) today.
Well, that is enough discussion encouragement for now. For those of you interested in practicing, please visit the Shan karaoke video (available through this website). (Additionally, for those of you interested in samples of Shan karaoke VCD cover art, please visit the informative SOAS Wa site and view the 17 September 2004 entry). Lastly, if anyone knows of other videos available throughout the internet, please send them through anytime.
Mai soong kha,
Khun Naw Liang
P.S. I have included the link to the Shan missionary website simply as a courtesy for using their online video. Please do not mistake this for any endorsement of or general agreement with their doctrine or intentions towards the Shan people.
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