24 November
The National Victory day of Myan-mar rang like a gong and boomed like a royal drum. With one step a year annually, the independence was achieved by taking twenty seven steps in total. The very first footstep was started in 1921. The 27th step in 1947 brought the independence. To reminisce about the events before the independent year of 1948, the National Victory day was full of longing and amazing memories. It seems the National Victory Day will be a part of Myanmar culture in the future.
The day when the University students boycotted against the British colonial govern-ment in 1920 was recognized as the National Victory day in 1921. Because of this boycott, the whole nation woke up from her sleeping, rubbed her eyes to see the truth and began more eager to gain independence. It should be that the day based on that kind of boycott has become the National Victory Day. Since the recognition of the National Victory Day, the will to gain independence was getting greater and greater days by days. In fact, that will to acquire the independence became the life of the National Victory Day.
From 1921 to the 1930s, the national-ism was propagated throughout the nation. During those days, both those who wanted to gain the independence step by step starting from the Diarchy system to independence and those who wanted the Home Rule directly were there. However, they all were the nationalists. And they were always defeated by the British in every sector as they were not united. But, being defeated was not in the nature of the National Victory Day and continued to march annually. Faster it was years by years. In the 1930s and the 1940s, not only it had great speed but also the National Victory day began to raise her fist. The Thakins raised their fists too. They yelled out against the British. In this way, the National Victory day made the will to gain the independence stronger than before.
How did the National Victory day describe the will to gain independence during those days? The description was so great that it was Myanmar. The custom of making the National Victory Day as a special one might be originally from the Western culture. Though Myanmar had special days, most of them were concerned with religion. It was never heard that there was a special day used as a political weapon. After the end of the WW I in 1918, the British colonial government convened a celebration called “OUR DAY” throughout the whole Myanmar to proliferate how greater power their empire had. It was such a use of a special day as politics. So, it is to be wondered whether those who remarked the Na-tional Victory day followed the British way. However, it should be remembered that the National Victory Day is in the nature of Myanmar. Though it might follow the western custom, it should be aware that the National Victory Day achieved success as the culture of both Myanmar and Western were combined on the land of Myanmar.
In April in Myanmar, Myanmar people want to parade around villages with joyful songs. When holding cows and fish charitable rites and Kasone feast, they want to make a procession, holding water pots on heads and playing songs. In the months of Sabbath, they want to march to the monasteries, wearing celestial outfits and bringing Soon Taw Gyi Bowl. Whenever they have something to celebrate, they want to parade with songs and dances. That nature is vested in Myanmar spirit. And then, they added their spirit to the National Victory day celebration.
Oh, look at this! On the sunny morning of the National Victory day, the beat of the Royal Drum was heard. In the head of the parade, the Burmannia, the lady in Burmese outfit appeared riding a well-decorated carriage which was flying the peacock flag. After her, drum players, students, and the nationalist leaders followed. Some-times, the police drum and bugle corps were in the leading role of the procession. Then, they gathered at a pagoda, raised the peacock flag and saluted it. And they prayed for the in-dependence. These activities were in the ways of Myanmar. So, why could it not succeed? Why could the National Victory day not step annually in the way leading to the independence?
Those who were twenties but now forties and those who were young but are mature now will recall a memory that they themselves partici-pated in the previous National Victory day celebrations.
Comrades . . . you still remem-ber the Myanmar Pinni Aingyi? How about Yaw outfits? How about having long hair? Raising the peacock flag? Dancing with the rhythm of the Royal Drum? Processing with the Drum and Bungle Corps? Wasn’t it happy? Wasn’t it longing? Then, wasn’t the will to gain independence together with the feeling of happiness and longing? Is it surprised to find out the Independence is achieved now?
By Nwe Phyo
(Cherry Land)M.A student,
Specializing in English Language,
Yadanabon University
