Burma etymology

Etymology

The name "Burma" comes from the Burmese word "Bamar", which refers to the majority ethnic group in the country.

Meaning

The meaning of "Bamar" is uncertain, but there are several theories:

• Some linguists believe it may derive from the Sanskrit word "Brahma", the supreme Hindu deity.
• Others suggest it may come from the Mon word "Brahman", meaning "Brahmin" or a member of the highest Hindu caste.
• It is also possible that "Bamar" is related to the Burmese word "mar", meaning "fine" or "excellent".

Origin

The Bamar people are believed to have migrated to Burma from the Yunnan region in China around the 9th century CE. They gradually established their own kingdom, which became known as the Kingdom of Pagan in the 11th century. By the 16th century, the Bamar had conquered most of the territory that is now modern-day Burma.

Usage

The name "Burma" was first used by Europeans in the 16th century to refer to the Kingdom of Pagan. It was later adopted by the British colonial administration and became the official name of the country after independence in 1948.

In 1989, the military junta that ruled Burma changed the country's name to "Myanmar". This name is derived from the Burmese word "myanma", which is a combination of "myan" (fast) and "ma" (mother). The military junta claimed that this name better reflected the country's history and culture.

However, many people outside of Burma continue to refer to the country as "Burma". The name "Myanmar" is still officially recognized by the United Nations and most other international organizations, but "Burma" remains the more common usage in everyday speech.

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• Burma

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