Mahn Ba Zan & the Karen Revolution

Mahn Ba Zan in School

After finishing the second standard (grade) in Danubyu A.B.M. School, Mahn Ba Zan transferred to Myaungmya High School where he studied from the fourth standard till high school. Later, having passed the tenth standard and graduated from High School, he attended the Judson College until the Intermediate year, and subsequently obtained his Bachelor in Arts degree from the adjoining Rangoon University College.

Since the time of studying at Maubin High School, for the development of good discipline, the parents of Mahn Ba Zan had been strict with them, led them in proper financial management, and until their passing the sixth standard, he and his older sisters each received only two pices (translator’s note: Burmese/Indian equivalent of pennies in the early nineteenth century Burma) as daily allowance. This was to learn not to be spendthrifts and practice frugality.

From the seventh to the tenth standard (grade) their allowance were increased to four pices. Such an increment was simply to teach them to be systematic in their spending and to be commensurate with their gradual growth to adolescence.

Until graduation from the Middle School, there were no movies, theater plays and Burmese stage shows allowed to be watched, nor love stories and novels to be read by them. They grew up under the strict guidance and close observation of their parents.

While in school, besides his books and studies, he had taken part in sports, politics, military and social matters. In sports, he was interested in volleyball, tennis and football (translator’s note: what in the U.S. called ‘soccer’, in contrast to the inappropriately termed American football), and was particularly good at football. He had taken part as captain of the High School First-Eleven or selected (top) team, also as a member of the Maubin Township First-Eleven, and later played in the Rangoon University First-Eleven team.

Mahn Ba Zan had always harbored the spirit of peace and consolidation among all nationalities since his student days. According to him:

“I have studied in the government school where all the nationalities were represented. Burman students comprised the majority, and the teachers were Karens, Burmans, and Anglo-Indians. Although the Karen and Burman students studied together, there had been no nationality problems, nor hatred among them, all with affection and close harmony in their relationship. There was individual respect; and consolidation of nationalities prevailed.”

Having been born by Christian parents, and he had grown up not only as a traditional Christian, but his belief in Christ the Lord had been unconditional. He had been a member of the young people’s Christian Endeavor Society of the Maubin Christian Church, and had served several successive terms of the society’s presidency. He had served not only in the religious affairs, but also involved in welfare and cultural areas, and thus had acquired much religious and cultural experience.