Final Part — Love, Belonging, and Farewell
“A Valentine Allegory of Burma: Love, Federalism, and the Fear of Separation”
Even if you decide not to return to me, and Shan State says farewell to Burma, what can I do?
I could blame fate — or what some may call the “Director of Nature.” But I now understand more deeply that the real cause lies in misunderstanding, in misinterpreting each other’s feelings, fears, and suffering.
Yes, my dear — we are at fault. We Bamar people, including myself, must change.
I hope, my dear Nan Sai, you will allow me to express one final feeling about the Shan people, and also to request one small favour from your father.
Please accept and believe this truth:
Not only I, but many Bamar/Myanmar people genuinely love the Shan and Shan State.
Your father may even be surprised to learn that many of my Burmese Chinese and Burmese Muslim friends also love Shan State deeply — and some have even married into Shan families.
And just because I am Bamar, please do not assume that Bamar men only seek Shan women. That would be an unfair generalization. Some of my closest friends are Bamar women married to Shan men.
Look at Sai Kham Leik himself — a Shan artist married to a Burmese lady, Daw Nwe Nwe Tin. At heart, I truly believe neither you nor your father would wish to separate the hearts of such people.
Although I am asking a favour, I strongly believe that human rights must be mutual — respected equally by all sides.
I was born in Taunggyi, in southern Shan State, even though I am ethnically Bamar. I have had a Shan spouse and children who are half-Shan.
So even if you turn away from me, and even if Shan independence becomes reality, I believe I still have the right to claim Shan identity and belonging.
Forgive me, my dear. I may sound emotional and unrefined — perhaps even intoxicated by the thought of losing you and the land of my birth.
Still, I humbly request one last favour from your father:
Even if he cannot grant me Shan citizenship, please allow me at least a Shan “green card” — permanent residency — so that I may spend my final days in Taunggyi, my birthplace, and be laid to rest in the land I love.
And I solemnly promise this:
If you ever decide to return and stay with me, I will reform the way decisions are made in our household.
Even if others think of me as the “General” and you as the “Major,” I will not behave like the SPDC generals.
I will only decide on general matters. You will decide on all major ones.
Please, my dear Nan, show this letter to your father and discuss our future together.
I am certain that after reading this, he will understand how deeply I love both you and Shan State.
The choice is yours. But please consider carefully all the pros and cons before making a decision — not through emotion alone, but through wisdom.
Before you decide, please remember the two songs we loved most:
- “Children of Nature,” about a world without war, and
- “A Song for Ko Tin Ngwe,” which you renamed from Sai Kham Leik’s original composition.
This letter has become too long.
You and I both know these songs well, and I believe the readers may also know them.
So I would like to end with one final suggestion for the future leaders of a Federal Union of Burma:
Please honour and reward Shan artists who have contributed greatly to our country. In Burma, and even in U Kay’s village traditions, artists have long been granted honorary titles — even “Sir”-like recognition.
With eternal love,
Your loving husband,
(Ko Ti Ngwe)
Author’s Note (Bo Aung Din):
I sincerely apologise to Hso Kham Hpa for using his name in this allegorical form as Ko Tin Ngwe’s father-in-law. This is not intended as disrespect, but as symbolic representation — where Ko Ti Ngwe represents Burma/Myanmar and Nan Sai Kham represents Shan State.
I also apologise to Dr Sai Kham Leik and Daw Nwe Nwe Tin for referencing their names and works in this narrative, sometimes in reversed or symbolic roles.
I have not translated their songs literally. I have only expressed the emotions they evoked while writing this piece.
Some songs mentioned were composed by others.
I ask forgiveness for any unintended offence, as this work is written under the influence of deep emotion, love for our country, and love for Shan State.
