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Richard Humpheries (Black and White) Jason Miller Shwe Koako, Karen State Sylvia Murcfeld Photographs Jean de La Tour Richard Humphries _______________ Version Date June 2004 12/01/2005 Website: Designed, Built and written by Paul Keenan |
Saw Kha Le Q-Could you tell me your name, age, and about your family please? A-My name is Saw Sha Le. I am 60 years old, and my parents lived in Burma. My father's name is Ro Tha and his village is called Ku Baw Luh. Q-How many brothers and sisters do you have? A-I have 2 brothers and 6 sisters.
Q-How many children do you have? A-I have 7 children.
Q-What did your parents do? A-They were farmers.
Q-What kind of games did you play when you were a child? A-I played football and volleyball.
Q-What do you do during the day? A-During the day I raise ducks and chickens.
Q-How has your life changed between then and now? A-Before when I lived at my village, we had reconciliation and then we had some concessions. Now we see things differently and most people are of a different religion. Bur they are facing conclict. Although we now get an oppurtunity to get an education, so some Karen people are now educated people, because some foreigners give training to the Karen. Today, we see our, Karen, people's education is improving.
Q-What is your religion? A-I am a Christian
Q-Did you have freinds when you were young? A-Yes, I had some freinds when I was young: 9
Q-Who di dyou live with after you got married? A-After I got married, I lived with my parents.
Q-Where did your wife give birth and who helped her? A-The first child was born in the hospital, and the others in the village with help from a Karen midwife.
Q-Have you heard about family planning before? A-No, I have never heard of family planning before.
Q-How id you raise your children and what are you aims for them? A-I raised some money for my chldren and tehn I sent them to go to school. That is from the blessing of God. My aim for my children's future is for them to become an educated people so they can serve my country. And then become a good leader. They ought to love their country. As they are Christian, they shouldn't forget their religion.
Q-Have you faced any difficulties as you have grown older? A-Yes, I faced difficulties when I began to grow. Sometimes my eyes become weak if I read more than 15 minutes. I can 't see clearly the way I tried to get freeing my life as teh other.
Q-How did you help your family? A-I helped my family, as I knew how, by finishing school and becomeing a teacher. And I helped them as I could...as I got money.
Q-What kind of houses did people use to build? A-People used to build houses out of many things, such as bamboo, trees and leaves-to make the roof.
Q-How did people celebrate Karen New Year? A-People celebrated Karen New Year by calling the paddy goddess. And they made food in teh Jungle from many different things, and they cooked. After they cooked they worshiped and then , as they had cooked, they shared what with each other and they started to eat. At that time they preserved their properties, showed about culture.
Q-Is it the same now? A-No, it isn't.
Q-Are you interested in Karen Traditions? A-Yes, I am.
Q-Where did you study? A-I studied in Burma. |
