An intellectual taster: Shan mystical formulae by Dr. Susan Conway
by Naw Liang (London, UK and Rio de Janiero, Brazil)

Mai soong kha!
Slightly breaking with All about Shan Studies tradition, I won't start this post with my usual self-deprecating 'I'm sorry I haven't been productive' routine. The truth is I've been busy, I've been away and, unfortunately, I've found it difficult to find the time and energy to dive into my Shan Studies recently. Sadly though it may seem, my professional life and my pseudo-academic life have reached a crossroads that, I fear, may make or break one or the other. This was how I started 2011, sitting on the fence and wondering which way I might topple.

SOAS and CSEAS seminar series: 'Shan mystical formulae - dealing with risk and uncertainty' by Dr. Susan Conway (SOAS University of London)
In the end, I didn't topple, and it was largely down to a seminar that I was dying to go to, but missed. Yes, it is confusing, so let me explain. I have known of Dr. Susan Conway (or visit her private page here) since I began this blog and following a chance meeting in September 2006 during a previous CSEAS seminar entitled "Eating the horses" by Dr. Conway. That meeting helped fuel a long-term desire to research the Shan that I had placed on the back burner for too long. Once again, now nearly five years later and as my drive to investigate all things Shan was once again waning, Dr. Conway arrived again with a seminar that combined my current professional leanings with my curiosity with the Shan.

For the past five years, risk and uncertainty have been at the heart of what I do everyday. I investigate, analyse, mull over and make decisions related to risk and uncertainty on a global scale, interweaving a number of cultural (business, social, investor) spheres to do what I feel is best for my company and people. It often feels like a religious procedure - investigating the truth, deep mediation on the facts, 'soul searching' the choice and, in the end, a leap of faith - and, regardless of the outcome, there is always a deep seated lesson (for those who are aware enough) at the end. It tests you daily, but the feeling of accomplishment (or failure) is real and tangible and worthwhile.

I really wish I had attended Dr. Conway's seminar on 1 March at SOAS University of London. For what I can imagine, she has weaved an intricate, but accessible tale of Shan historical and religious elements to illustrate how the Shan may (or may not) deal with risk and uncertainty in their daily lives and in the 'grand scheme' of things. I hope to get in touch with her to receive a copy of the presentation (or just an overview) so that I might better construct any parallels or recognise any similarities between how they do things 'over there' and how things are attempted 'over here'. Expect a follow-up blog shortly.

For now, while I cannot provide any commentary on the presentation itself, it is worthwhile simply to recognise that driven and insightful people like Dr. Conway are constantly and consistently not only developing remarkably creative research, but continuing, through their scholarship, to encourage others to contemplate, investigate and comment on issues that might just pertain to us all. And, yes, she is good enough to encourage some of us more than once.

Mai soong Susan and jom lii kha everyone,

Naw Liang

Book Event: Discussion with author Bernice Koehler Johnson (The Shan: Refugees without a Camp) in Chiangmai, Thailand (30 January 2011)
by Naw Liang (London, UK)

Mai soong kha and a belated Happy New Year to everyone!

Once again, another year has come and gone. I hope that everyone's year-end and year-opening celebrations - whether you go by the Shan calendar, the Western construct or both - were exactly what you were hoping for be it excitement, relaxation, time with friends and family or a combination of these and more. 2011 has already shown that it will be another wondrous 12 months, and I am eager to see what else is in store. Most of all, I thank you each and everyone of you for visiting, re-visiting and, most of all, encouraging me to keep this important blog going. The output on All about Shan studies may have more valleys than peaks, but I can assure you that I, with your help, always have more ideas in the works, so you can expect more to come. That is a promise. Now, on to my latest offering.

Chatting with author Bernice Koehler Johnson (The Shan: Refugees without a Camp (2009)
As presented in a previous post (see here), 'The Shan: Refugees without a Camp', a thoroughly enlightening and first-hand account of the plight of Shan refugees along the Burma-Thai border, by veteran English teacher Johnson was presented and reviewed. The book, which discussed Johnson's annual trips to the border to teach Shan refugees, is a must read for anyone interested in the Shan as well as those eager to get some well-written accounts of border life. I highly recommend it.

Now, in a follow-up event, a number of Shan support groups and other organisations in Chiangmai, Thailand have arranged a discussion event wtih Johnson to learn more about her experiences, her decision to write the book and her life since it was published in July 2009. Schedule to be held at the Sangdee Gallery and Café in central Chiangmai (see link here) - a hub of Shan activity in Northern Thailand - and the event will include a short reading followed by a discussion between the author and special guests Khuensai Jaiyen (Editor of S.H.A.N.) and Charm Tong (member of the Shan Women's Action Network, a Nobel Prize nominee). The atmosphere and discussion are certain to be electric, making this event a must see for those lucky enough to be in Chiangmai. I certainly wish I was.

I would appreciate any commentary from those who attend the event.
Mai soong kha in advance.

Jom lii kha,

Naw Liang