Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

by Donald M. Seekins

Overview

Burma (Myanmar) is a Southeast Asian country that is emerging from crisis after more than a half century of hard-line military rule and cultural, diplomatic and economic isolation. With the dissolution of its military regime, the State Peace and Development Council, in 2011, a formally civilian but military-dominated constitutional government was inaugurated. By 2012, Burma’s president, retired General Thein Sein, had established a working relationship with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the country’s pro-democracy movement since 1988, and after a 2012 by-election she and members of her opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), entered the new Union Parliament as legislators.
However, even with the election victory of Daw Suu Kyi and the NLD in the General Election of November 2015, Burma faces daunting challenges: it is still one of the poorest countries in Southeast, fissured by longstanding ethnic conflicts that have made a nationwide peace agreement elusive and its people’s security and the environment are threatened by foreign economic exploitation. Religious discord is also widely evident, as Buddhist militants instigate violence against the country’s religious minorities, especially Muslims.
Today Burma’s prospects are the most hopeful they have been for over half a century, as the country takes steps along the road to a more open society and economy. This edition of the Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar) encompasses not only current developments, but also Burma’s over 1,500 years-old recorded history and the most important features of its cultures, ethnicity, religions, society and economy. This is done through achronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538101827
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/27/2017
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	684
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 2.20(d)

About the Author

Donald M. Seekins is emeritus professor of Southeast Asian Studies at Meio University in Okinawa, Japan; he also is adjunct professor of History in the University of Maryland University College.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Forward
Acknowledgements
A Note to Readers
Old and New Place Names
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
The Dictionary
The Bibliography
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

This comprehensive volume, an update of the 2006 edition with over 100 more pages, explores the social, political, religious, and cultural dimensions of 1,000 years of Burmese history. An excellent 48-page introduction guides the reader through the numerous regimes the country has known: a series of kingdoms, British rule beginning in the 19th century, Japanese occupation, independence in 1948, and various forms of unrest since. The 700 plus entries range from broad subjects (women in Burmese society, foreign investment, Buddhism) to narrow topics such as individual events of importance (elections for instance), locations (towns, rivers, etc.), and individuals of importance throughout Burmese history. The subject of Rohingyas, a frequent topic in today’s news, is also examined. Maps, a chronology, excellent cross-references within the text, and an extensive subject bibliography enhance the usability and add to the value of this source. This book will serve well any library population with an interest in world history or Southeast Asia. Academic libraries will be most likely to add it to their collections, but public and high school libraries should consider it as well.” —American Reference Books Annual

“Though the history of Burma is little known in the West, this Dictionary, one of the largest in the series, demonstrates that it has been a turbulent one. It comprises more than 800 articles, of between 50 and 1,500 words, on personalities, places, organizations, ethnic groups, customs and events in Burmese history…. Throughout the book, readers will find many examples of the author’s comprehensive knowledge of Burma’s unusual culture.” —Reference Reviews

From the Publisher

Though the history of Burma is little known in the West, this Dictionary, one of the largest in the series, demonstrates that it has been a turbulent one. It comprises more than 800 articles, of between 50 and 1,500 words, on personalities, places, organizations, ethnic groups, customs and events in Burmese history…. Throughout the book, readers will find many examples of the author’s comprehensive knowledge of Burma’s unusual culture.

Reference Reviews

This comprehensive volume, an update of the 2006 edition with over 100 more pages, explores the social, political, religious, and cultural dimensions of 1,000 years of Burmese history. An excellent 48-page introduction guides the reader through the numerous regimes the country has known: a series of kingdoms, British rule beginning in the 19th century, Japanese occupation, independence in 1948, and various forms of unrest since. The 700 plus entries range from broad subjects (women in Burmese society, foreign investment, Buddhism) to narrow topics such as individual events of importance (elections for instance), locations (towns, rivers, etc.), and individuals of importance throughout Burmese history. The subject of Rohingyas, a frequent topic in today’s news, is also examined. Maps, a chronology, excellent cross-references within the text, and an extensive subject bibliography enhance the usability and add to the value of this source. This book will serve well any library population with an interest in world history or Southeast Asia. Academic libraries will be most likely to add it to their collections, but public and high school libraries should consider it as well.

American Reference Books Annual

Though the history of Burma is little known in the West, this Dictionary, one of the largest in the series, demonstrates that it has been a turbulent one. It comprises more than 800 articles, of between 50 and 1,500 words, on personalities, places, organizations, ethnic groups, customs and events in Burmese history…. Throughout the book, readers will find many examples of the author’s comprehensive knowledge of Burma’s unusual culture.

s

a useful and important reference for all academic and research libraries and to the reader who needs information about the major events, people and organizations in Burmese history, culture, and economy.

"American Reference Books Annual"

This book is recommended for public and academic libraries for the current history of Burma, but also for international business collections for companies wanting to do business with Burma (Myanmar).

American Reference Books Annual (ARBA)