Mon people must pay close attention to conserve the Mon ethnic nationality in order to prevent it from disappearing. The Chair of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) Nai Hongsa expressed his concern that the Mon language is at risk because it is being mixed with other languages.
“When the Mon-Thai people talk, the Thai words are quite mixed. Young Thai-Mon who are under 20 years old cannot speak Mon. After Mon-Thai elders have passed away, the Mon-Thai will disappear. Therefore, we need to be careful about the possibility of ethnic nationality disappearing, and we need to maintain it,” said Nai Hongsa.
During the celebration of the 73rd Mon National Day (MND) held in Ban Bang Chakreng village in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, the New Mon State Party Chair addressed this topic.
He remarked, that “in our country, other ethnic nationalities have flowed to Mon state for work while Mon people are [also] working in other countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan. Some Mon villages have become Burmese villages. Mon people living in the city cannot speak Mon. Young people, as well as students, tend to mix Burmese phrases when they speak in Mon language. These signs show that the Mon ethnic nationality is likely to vanish soon.”
According to UNESCO research, some ethnic and language minorities groups around the world, including Mon people, are in danger of losing their culture and language in the coming decades. Nai Hongsa added the historical duties of the Mon people are to create their fate, to gain their self-determination, and to preserve their language.
President of the Mon Youth Community in Bangkok, Nai Alin Kon said “Our Thai-Mon people are living elsewhere in the 37 provinces in Thailand. Each year, we take the turn to celebrate the Mon National Day. We have to sustain and practice our tradition. We also teach Mon literature. Also, we will attend the celebration of the Mon National Day that will be held by the Mon from Hongsawatoi [in Myanmar] in the 1st Waning of Tabodwe.”
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Mon community from different districts of Thailand, migrant workers from Myanmar and cultural groups. More than a thousand people attended the memorial ceremony held in honor of Mon ancestors and heroes who lost their lives during the era of the Hongsawatoi Kingdom [the Hanthawaddy Kingdom].
Grand celebrations to commemorate the 73rd Mon National Day will be held near the Mon State Hluttaw (Parliament] in Mawlamyine beginning in the morning of February 9th this year, and will include a people’s parade.
The program includes traditional dance, singing, and a Ms. Mon contest. In the evening there will be a gallery exhibition, Mon folk and classical dancing, and live music. Activities will be spread over three nights, starting with the pre-Mon National Day.
