Modern media: the Shan and their VCDs

Mai soong kha everyone...

Well, the search for Shan information, insight, studies and research continues.

And, over the past several months, it appears that I have tapped into (with the help of many, including the SCA_UK (see below) a growing torrent of interest on the Shan.

During another one of my late night searches, I stumbled across the paper of an academic acquaintance of mine - Jane Martin Ferguson - a Ph.D student dynamo who is focusing her research on the Shan and their lives along Thailand's northern border. More specifically, she is fascinated with their use of modern media, such as VCDs, to maintain, spread and promote their culture, traditional and modern, though a variety of mediums and methods. Personally, Jane is an exceptional individual, and one to watch in future academic circles. Her combination of on-the-ground experience, killer intellect, exuberance and prolific work rate are inspiring - awe inspiring. For a fledgling (more aptly self-interpreted as 'incapable') doctoral research wannabe, she is an inspiration. I hope that her research is going well, and that she has time to stop by and, if possible, tell us more about it.

Back to the point of this mini-post - the Shan and media, particularly VCDs. After reading one of Jane's many papers, I felt compelled to contact her and ask if it could be include - in part or in full - for everyone to enjoy. We have lucked out as she wholeheartedly accepted. So, for those of you interested in recent academic research on the Shan and media from a budding scholar, please click the title below for the entire paper. Alternative, for those looking to try before they buy, see the summary below (taken directly from Jane's paper) for a start.
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Digital Media in the Borderlands: National Media, Stateless Subjects, and Video Production at the Thai-Burma Border

by Jane M Ferguson

Abstract

While the Thai government under the Thaksin administration claims increasing vigilance of media piracy, and the Rangoon (Yangon) censor board strictly enforces its mores on Burmese media production, border areas have become a hotbed for independent media production and distribution. The platform of choice, particularly in historically under-represented languages, such as Shan, is the video compact disc (VCD). Based on ethnographic fieldwork carried out in a Shan village at the Thai-Burma border, this paper will discuss competing forms of media, and the implications of digital media production and consumption among stateless subjects in the borderlands.
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Gyan mah chan tha ba seh

Naw Liang

Increasing exposure in the UK: Shan events in April

Mai soong kha.
Although the search continues, I am always surprised at the amount and diversity of information on the Shan that is increasingly available. And most of it, however, hidden, can be uncovered with just a little creative research.

However, instead of my usual off-the-wall postings - I am writing on Shan cuisine in Tokyo, which will follow shortly - the following post is a mini-list of upcoming events. April is an integral time in the Shan cultural calendar, and these events will be of particular interest for Shan, Thai, Burmese peoples as well as those from other mainland South East Asia ethnic groups and cultural enthusiasts alike. Have a look below:

15 April: The annual Songkran ('Water Festival' or Thai New Year) celebrations in London are upon us (Songkran is known as Thingyan for the Burmese*). However, this year, amid the usual bustle and endless events, members of the Shan Cultural Association of the UK (SCA_UK) and other enthusiastic volunteers will perform a 'Sip Song Pana**'-style dance at the main festival location: Wat Buddhapadipa in Wimbledon, South West London. The festival is a fantastic event visited by thousands each year. The temple grounds are transformed with the festival atmosphere, and there is everything from Thai (and other cultures that celebrate Songkran) music, dancing and other performances to food and drink booths, which sell Thai and other specialties; other cultural items are also for sale. Last and most importantly, if you plan to visit Wat Buddhapadipa for Songkran, please give generously: the temple relies on the patronage and support of everyone for its livelihood. And, to make this more authentic, a traditional Thai temple donation booth/shrine is available where people can make an offering to monks who bless well-wishers.

*The Burmese New Year, which is called Thingyan, also falls in April. For a more local and personal opinion on modern Thingyan, please visit here for thoughts on water throwing: is it for fun or in malice?
**Sip Song Pana (also written Sipsong Panna, Sipsong Banna and, in Chinese, Xishuangbanna) is an area of what is now labelled The Golden Triangle. Officially, for the Chinese at least, this area of southern Yunnan Province is called Xishuangbanna Daizu Zizhizhou (Xishaungbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture), and it is home to many groups of the Tai (or Dai) ethnic family as well as other groups including the Yi. There is a long and confuisng history about the area, including the many variations on its name, which I will avoid here. Simply put, it is an area that the Shan are historically linked to. I will write more on this in a future piece.

22 April: Shan celebration of Songkran in Oxford. This annual event allows devotees, trustees, observers and cultural enthusiasts and onlookers to gather and raise funds for the Oxford Buddha Vihara (OBV), a Buddhist study centre established in 2003 by the abbot, the Venerable Dr Dhammasami. These events, which are a true reflection of traditional, religious observance of Songkran, are a wonderful event, and the centre, in addition to its devouted practitioners and visitors, is a great place to experience this celebration. Everyone is welcome.

Once again, thank you for visiting.

Khun Naw Liang

Note: The photo above is of Shan celebrations of Songkran in 2006 along the Sino-Burmese border. For further details, please visit Shanland.org website. The link is also available on the rightside links toolbar under news.