Karenni National Day, June 21

In the early stages of Karenni's momentous-rife chronicle, Burman kings frequently engaged in war with Karenni as part of their campaign of launching attacks on surrounding empires in a bid to expand their own. The first Anglo-Burman war broke out in 1824 and came to an end when British troops overran the Tanintharry and Moulmein of Lower Burma. In 1826, Gayphodu, a prominent chief of Western Karenni sent an emissary contingent led by his own son Khwee Ti down to Moulmein to establish friendship with the British. In 1852, a second Anglo-Burman war broke out and the British occupied Taungoo and the remaining parts of Lower Burma. In return, Mr E. Oriley, the Taungoo Chief Commissioner, came to Kyephogyi and met with Gayphodu to affirm Britains friendship with Western Karenni. Gayphodu had informed the British-India viceroy to put pressure on the Burman king to recognize Karenni independence. In respond to this request, Viceroy Lord Dalhousie of British-India threw British support behind the recognition of Karenni independence and denounced Burman attacks on Karenni. Western Karenni chief, Gayphodu passed away in 1868 and his two sons, Khwee Ti and Khwee Tjar, succeeded him. Khwee Ti and Khwee Tjar kept pressure on the British-India Viceroy to press the Burman king to recognize Karenni independence. In 1875, the British-India Viceroy delegated Honorable Sir Douglas Forsyth CBKCSI to hold talks with Burman king Mindonmin to accept the Karenni's request for independence. The Burman king agreed unconditionally and recognized Karenni independence. Shortly after, an agreement of recognition the Karenni independence was signed on June 21, 1875. Sir Douglas Forsyth, CBKCSI, envoy on the part of His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General of India, and Kinwon Mingyi, the Burman Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed and executed the following agreement: "It is hereby agreed between the British and Burmese government that the state of Western Karenni shall remain separate and independent, and that no sovereignty or governing body of any description shall be claimed or exercised over that state. Whereunto we have on this day, the 21st of June 1875, corresponding with the 3rd day of the Waning moon of Nayong, 1237 BE, affixed our seals and signature." Seal. (SD) TD Forsyth Seal. (SD) Kinwon Mingyi From then on, Burman troops ceased attacks and conflicts with Karenni and the Karenni people took into consideration to identify the date of June 21 as the Karenni National Day in recognition of its independence. Since then, Karenni people celebrate annually the Karenni National Day come June 21 as we do today, the 136th anniversary of the Karenni National Day.