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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 |
Maw Taw Ta Q-Could you tell me you name and age please? A-My name is Maw Taw Ta and I am 27 years old.
Q-What is the name of your place? A-The name of my place is Brigade One; it is also called Lee Key.
Q-Could you tell me about the place where you live? A-I was born in the Jungle during, the rainy season. Burmese soldiers came to our place and hurt our people, the Karen people. When I was four years old, Burmese soldiers killed my father. They shot my father. So when I was a child I hated Burmese soldiers very much. And then I came to be a Karen soldier. When I was a child I wanted to be a soldier very much, but the people did not allow me to be. After I became 27 I became a Karen soldier in Brigade One.
Q-When you stayed in Brigade One how many people were there, and how did you experience the struggle? A-When we stayed in Brigade One, we didn't have time to stay peacefully. We had to run all the time. If we didn't run, we would be killed by the Burmese troops. I am not sure about how many people stayed there.
Q-How many people are there in your family? A-We have three people in my family. My mother, my sister and me.
Q-What occupations do your mother and sister have now? A-When my father was alive we had one farm, some buffalos and cows, so my mother looked after them. My sister was sent to study to be a medic. Now her job is to look after the sick people.
Q-What is your job now? A-Before I came to be a Karen soldier, I worked on the farm. I helped my mother and sister. But now I am a soldier, my job is fighting.
Q-What position and duty do you have? A-Now I am a simple soldier, I have no position.
Q-When did you enter the army and why? A-I entered the army in Febuary of 2002. I entered because I was very interested about the resistence-since I was a child. I wanted to become a soldier since I was a child, but the people did not let me. WHen Burmese soldiers came and tortured our people…I saw it, I felt it. Many of our people had problems, so I thought I would be a soldier and fight back against the Burmese army.
Q-What are the difficulties of being a soldier? A-When I work, the main problem is that we don’t' have time to rest or sleep. We have to sleep in the Jungle, and on the wet ground. We have many problems, because the Burmese soldiers come and attack us. The biggest problem, though, is that we don't have enough Karen soldiers.
Q-Why is the Karen revolution growing weaker? What's the reason? A-The Karen revolution is weaker then before because our people don't have enough education or enough politically oriented people. SOme people konkt' keep up with our national revolution, so the Burmese government can weaken our revolution.
Q-How do you arrange for you mother and sister? A-Before I entered the army, some people told me not to go. They said, "stay here and help your mother." But I thought of my country, of my people. I am a person who loves my country, so I became a soldier. I thought my siter could look after my mother, so I left them and entered the army |
