CNI News

March 9, 2026

Bamar (Burman) politicians assert that the Bamar people do not practice "Great Race" chauvinism or racial discrimination, suggesting that the focus should instead remain on how to build national ethnic unity.

However, they noted that non-Bamar ethnic groups continue to accuse the Bamar of chauvinism. These politicians raised the question of how to address similar accusations of chauvinism occurring among non-Bamar ethnic groups themselves if such allegations are to be made.

Political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News that Bamar people do not discriminate based on race. He argued that the perception of chauvinism stems from the historical failure of successive state administrations to consider the perspectives of ethnic minorities.

"We do not practice chauvinism. A Bamar person doesn't refuse to eat at the same table with a Naga or a Chin person, said Dr. Aung Myo."Chauvinism doesn't exist [among the people], and neither does racial discrimination. In reality, it is the ethnic groups who are discriminating. They say things like 'He’s Bamar, so I don't trust him.' Look at the AA, the Kokang (MNDAA), or the Chin—they don't trust the Bamar. That is racial discrimination. The Bamar don't do that. However, there is one issue, but it isn't chauvinism; it’s a failure at the individual and administrative levels. Successive rulers of the state failed to look at things from the ethnic perspective. For instance, these groups ruled themselves independently for centuries. When we entered their regions, they felt their territory was being dominated. We weren't intentionally oppressing them; we were just operating within the framework of the modern era. We simply failed to take them into account. There are flaws on the State’s part regarding power sharing, but that has nothing to do with the 'chauvinism' they speak of."

Youth from various ethnic groups pictured together.

Political analysts point out that "Great Race" chauvinism is a toxic mindset that denies equal human dignity and operates on the principle of "If you aren't like me, you are my enemy" or "I am inherently superior."

Political analyst U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that when people talk about chauvinism, they usually refer to it in a negative sense—of being belittled or treated unfairly. He suggested that the concept of being a "Great Race" could be reframed in a positive light.

"The term 'chauvinism' itself isn't very clear. To me, being a 'Great Race' should mean having a 'greater culture.' If your culture is greater, your behavior should be better," U Htet Aung Kyaw said. "Whenever 'Great Race' chauvinism is mentioned in Myanmar, it’s almost always used in a negative political framing—to say 'these people are unfair' or 'they are doing wrong.' There isn't much clear discussion on why it shouldn't be practiced. My view is that a 'Great Race' should exist in the sense of being more civilized and helping those with less power. It’s about how you shape the image of a 'Great Race.' It would be better to frame it as a positive attribute rather than a negative one."

Youth from various ethnic groups pictured together.

While other ethnic groups accuse the Bamar of chauvinism, some subgroups have also pointed out that groups like the Kachin and the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) are practicing "Kachin Chauvinism" against smaller minorities.

Military and political observers point out that instead of mutual accusations, an answer should be sought on how to cooperate and build a nation based on federalism and democracy.

Similarly, observers noted that the term "Ethnic Nationalities" (Tine-Yinn-Thar) needs a broader and clearer definition. There needs to be clarity on whether the Bamar are considered an "Ethnic Nationality" or not. If the Bamar are considered such, they should avoid referring to other groups as "The Ethnicities" as if they are separate. Conversely, non-Bamar groups should avoid using "Ethnic Nationalities" to refer only to themselves while excluding the Bamar.

The 2008 Constitution stipulates that the state is composed of various ethnic groups living together and mandates that national unity must be built and protected from disintegration.