NarinjaraNews, 7 December 2022

A celebration of the 2nd annual Kaman National Dayfalls on December 5th was held inthe Bootkyi Kaman village in Hmawbi township of Yangon region.

U Tun Ngwe chairman of the Kaman Ethnic Social Network toldNarinjara, “It was the day of December5 th back in 1710, when the Arakan kings allowed the Kaman archers to settle in3 Kaman villages in Sittwe, 19 Kaman villages in Thandwe, and Ramree region,and designated it as a National Kaman Day.”

The Arakan National Party (ANP) sent a memorandum to celebratethe 2nd annual Kaman NationalDay.“We always value and respect the interests, cultures and traditions peoplenot only Arakan people, but also all other ethnic groups in Rakhine state, andconsider them as eternal partners to be treasured”, ANP’s memorandumsaid.Efforts to establish the Kaman National Day began in 2020, and it was heldfor the first time in 2021. Due to the political crisis and insecurity theceremony was shortened this year.

Kamans are one of the 7 Rakhine tribe who served as archersduring the days of the ancient Rakhine kings, and today their population isaround 3000.

According to Wikipedia, the ‘Kaman’ term has been usedsince the days of Rakhine kings to commemorate the valiant archer.

When King Shah Shuja of Bengal visited Mrauk-U in 1660, hebrought some followers with him. They are Muslims of Afghan origin, and useRakhine language and Rakhine names. There are about 3000 Kaman people, and theylive in isolated villages and rarely mix with other tribes.

Muslim Kamans have been loyal to the Rakhine state and itspeople, and living peacefully and harmoniously with every Rakhine tribe withoutcreating problems nor inciting ethnic and religious unrests in Rakhine state atall.