Mahn Ba Zan & the Karen Revolution

Mahn Ba Zan and his Family

Mahn Ba Zan’s wife, Daw Kyi Kyi, was the daughter of Mr. William Thompson, a.k.a. Mahn Tun Sein, a Pwo Karen, and his wife Naw Anna, a.k.a. Naw Sein Yin, a Sgaw Karen. Daw Kyi Kyi was the eldest of eight siblings.

The eight children of Mahn Tun Sein and Naw Sein Yin were: Daw Kyi Kyi; Babie; Sonny; Georgie; Freddie ( also known as Mahn Kyaw Kaing Tun (now residing at the 6th Brigade Territory); Danny; Winnie (Wah Wah), mother of the valiant Sergeant PuCho (Rocky) who fell in the battle at Camp Baloo, east of Wanka; and the youngest son, Tommy (Maung Maung Gyi).

Both Daw Kyi Kyi’s parents were Christians. Daw Kyi Kyi studied up to the tenth standard (grade), and was a beautiful young lady. When the President married, he was 21 years old, and Daw Kyi Kyi was 20. Although he was married in his last college year for Bachelor of Arts degree, he managed to complete his studies as intended. They had ten children, as follows:

1. Ruby Zan (passed away from illness at the age of two);
2. Robert Zan; (Author of this book).
3. Chaw Chaw Sein Zan [mother of the intrepid soldier, 2nd Lieut. Moh Aung Win who fell at the battle of (TweePahWeeKyoh)- KweEikTaung];
4. Baldwin Zan;
5. Esther Zan (died at age two at the beginning of the rebellion);
6. Connie Zan;
7. PoePo Zan ((succumbed to a strayed bullet at the age of twenty-four);
8. NanNweh Zan;
9. Kathy Zan;

(10) HtohLwi Zan (the heroic 2nd Lieut HtohLwi Zan who fell at the battle of MyayNee
Taung, east of Wanka).

All the three sons were able to raise the success flag of the Karen Revolution to a much-elevated point, and the youngest paid the ultimate price in his expired revolutionary star. The daughters assumed various respective revolutionary duties before they were married, but spend their married lives in domestic obligations.

Regarding marriage and family affairs, Mahn Ba Zan said, “To talk about my marriage and family, I have a very pleasant family life. It is also a Christian family. This is because I particularly pay attention and respect to religion, and try to live according to the religious teachings. There is democracy in my family. Democracy prevails in the relationship between husband and wife, and parents and children. In the parent-child relationship, we always follow the content of Ephesians Chapter 6 in the New Testament.”

When he (Mahn Ba Zan) first got married, due to the enormous demand of work for the freedom of the nationality people, there was practically little time spent in his own home. His wife had to manage and take responsible for the children’s education, health and domestic affairs.

Because of the dirty and deplorable actions of the Ne Win government, his wife and some of the children were twice arrested and taken into custody, first in 1958 for 11 months, and again in 1966 for 5 years and 10 months. Like the saying, ‘ if you cannot control the rats, just burn down the barn”, those were not the deeds of valiant soldiers, but were simply the ways of thieves and robbers.

While the mother was illegally detained and isolated, the remaining children who forcibly parted from their parents, managed to continue to take care of themselves without getting into trouble. Because of the difficulties and hardships brought about by the revolution, although they desired to attain higher learning, all they were able to obtain was High School education. The sons and daughters were those who grew up and matured in the revolution areas, and thus were imbued with the knowledge and spirit of the revolution and were very patriotic toward their nationality.

Concerning the outlook of the revolutionary family man, Mahn Ba Zan said, “My entire family life has been quite gratifying. The many difficult occasions brought about by the revolution were faced with courage and were able to be overcome. No matter how much hardship and obstacles were encountered, we will not be disappointed or demoralized, but will raise the revolutionary flag as high as ever. I strongly believe that since the revolution is a very desirable and noble undertaking, it will definitely be successful.”

It is the noble wish and desire that the descendents of Mahn Ba Zan and Daw Kyi Kyi, sons and daughters, grand children and great-grand children, will be able to keep alive the nurturing of, and striving for the freedom of our nationality, the achievement of democracy and equality, and a new peaceful and prosperous land for mankind.