There is a bewildering array of ethnic and tribal sub-sections within the country. We read that the government recognises 135 distinct groups. One group – the mainly muslim Rohingya people in Rakhine State are not included in this recognition and so are effectively “stateless”. This is one of the causes of the civil unrest which led to access to that area being restricted last year.
Various groups are associated with specific parts of the country and identify with varying styles of traditional dress. One group in has women with heavily tattooed faces, another has women fitted with neck-extended metal rings.
As in so many parts of the world, real or perceived grievances lead to agitation for autonomy for some of the ethnic groups. A relaxing of government control as democracy increases is likely to fuel this process which could lead to much instability.
No comments:
Post a Comment