Burmanization: The Systematic Erasure of Ethnic Identity in Burma (Myanmar) and Skewing of Ethnic Population Data

Introduction

Burmanization is a deeply entrenched policy and practice in Burma (Myanmar), systematically designed to erase the distinct cultural, linguistic, and religious identities of the country's diverse ethnic groups. This strategy, which has been in place for decades, seeks to assimilate ethnic minorities into the dominant Bamar (Burman) identity. The Karen, Karenni, Shan, Mon, Kachin, Arakan (Rakhine), and Chin people, among others, have borne the brunt of this policy through forced assimilation, linguistic erasure, religious persecution, and violent ethnic cleansing.

The Origins of Burmanization

The roots of Burmanization can be traced back to General Aung San, who, despite being seen as a national hero, laid the foundation for the forced assimilation of ethnic minorities. His vision of a centralized Burmese state marginalized ethnic groups, denying them autonomy and self-determination. Following his assassination in 1947, successive military regimes continued and intensified this policy, systematically imposing Bamar culture, language, and Buddhist religion on non-Bamar peoples.

General Aung San’s daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, continued the legacy of Burmanization in modern times. Despite receiving international acclaim for her pro-democracy stance, she remained silent or complicit in policies that oppressed ethnic minorities, most notably during the military’s genocidal campaign against the Rohingya people.

Linguistic and Cultural Erasure

One of the most insidious aspects of Burmanization is the forced linguistic assimilation. Ethnic minorities inside Burma (Myanmar) are required to identify as "Burmese" on official documents such as passports and national ID cards, regardless of their actual ethnicity. Even when resettled in other countries, they are often forced to list their ethnicity as "Burmese," further erasing their distinct cultural identities on a global scale.

Schools in Burma (Myanmar) predominantly teach in the Burmese language, marginalizing ethnic languages and traditions. Government policies have systematically discouraged or outright banned the teaching of indigenous languages, making it difficult for younger generations to preserve their heritage. This forced cultural assimilation has led to the gradual erosion of ethnic identities, further advancing the Burmanization agenda.

Religious Persecution

Religious oppression is another weapon in the Burmanization strategy. Buddhism is aggressively promoted as the national religion, with ethnic Christian, ethnic Buddhists, and Muslim communities facing systemic discrimination, destruction of places of worship, and violence. Kachin, Chin, and Karen Christians have been targeted by government forces, with churches burned and religious leaders imprisoned or killed.

Similarly, Rohingya Muslims suffered mass killings and displacement, a policy that reached genocidal proportions under Aung San Suu Kyi’s government as the military carried out systematic ethnic cleansing. The suppression of non-Burmese Buddhist religious practices is part of a broader agenda to create a homogenous Buddhist-Bamar national identity.

The Use of Sexual Violence as a Weapon

One of the most horrific aspects of Burmanization is the use of sexual violence as a means of forced assimilation. Ethnic women, particularly from Karen, Karenni, Shan, and Kachin communities, have been systematically raped by Burmese soldiers as a tool of warfare and ethnic erasure. Soldiers were often rewarded for these acts, as impregnating ethnic women was seen as a way to "Burmanize" future generations. This state-sanctioned brutality has left deep scars on ethnic communities, contributing to long-term trauma and displacement.

Skewing Population Statistics to Support Burmanization

As part of the Burmanization agenda, the government of Burma (Myanmar) has deliberately manipulated population statistics to underreport ethnic populations and overstate the Bamar majority. Ethnic people are forced to identify as "Burmese" on all official documentation, distorting demographic data. This tactic has been used to justify the continued marginalization of ethnic minorities, diminish their political representation, and validate military campaigns against them. The Burmese generals utilize these skewed statistics to claim that ethnic groups are a small fraction of the population, when in reality, they comprise a much larger, significant portion. Experts believe that the total number of ethnic people outnumbers the Bamar.

1983 Estimated Population Data vs. Official Burmese Statistics

2025 Worldwide Projected Population by Ethnic Group

Challenges in Obtaining Accurate Data:

Incomplete Census Data: The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census did not fully enumerate certain regions due to conflict and accessibility issues, leading to potential underrepresentation of some ethnic groups. ​

Recent Census Limitations: A more recent census conducted by the military government revealed a slight population decrease to 51.3 million from 51.5 million in 2014. However, this census was incomplete, covering only 145 out of 330 townships due to ongoing conflicts and displacement, making the data less reliable. ​apnews.com

Migration and Displacement: Ongoing conflicts, particularly involving the Rohingya and other minority groups, have led to significant internal and external displacement, affecting population estimates. ​

Given these challenges, the figures provided are not relibale and clearly underreport the actual ethnic populations while overstating the Bamar population.Accurate and up-to-date information is not available due to the Burmanization tactics of forcing ethnic people to be reported as Bamar.

The discrepancy between these numbers highlights the strategic underreporting of ethnic populations to further the Burmanization agenda. By inflating the Bamar population percentage and reducing the visibility of ethnic groups, the government aims to solidify Bamar dominance while denying ethnic groups their rightful claims to political and territorial autonomy.

Ethnic Cleansing and Forced Displacement

Burmanization has also been enforced through mass displacement and ethnic cleansing. Entire villages in ethnic regions have been torched, forcing millions to flee into neighboring countries or live in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border. Internally displaced ethnic groups face severe restrictions, with little access to healthcare, education, or economic opportunities. The deliberate underdevelopment of ethnic regions ensures continued subjugation and dependency on the Burmese state.

Conclusion

Burmanization is not merely a historical policy—it remains an ongoing reality for millions of ethnic minorities in Burma (Myanmar). From forced assimilation to cultural erasure, religious persecution, and sexual violence, this strategy is designed to systematically eliminate ethnic identities and create a monolithic Burmese nation. While international attention has at times been drawn to Burma (Myanmar)’s atrocities, real change requires recognition of Burmanization as a form of ethnic cleansing and a commitment to protecting the rights, languages, and cultures of Burma (Myanmar)’s ethnic people. The struggle for ethnic identity and autonomy in Burma (Myanmar) is far from over, and the world must stand against the continued erasure of these communities.

Sources:

• Smith, Martin. Burma: Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity. Zed Books, 1991.

• South, Ashley. Ethnic Politics in Burma: States of Conflict. Routledge, 2008.

• Human Rights Watch. "We Are Like Forgotten People": The Chin People of Burma (Myanmar), 2009.

• Harvard Law School. "Crimes in Northern Burma (Myanmar): Evidence of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity", 2021.

• International Crisis Group. "Myanmar's Stalled Transition", 2020.

• United Nations Human Rights Council. "Report on Human Rights Violations in Burma (Myanmar)", 2018.