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The '''Karen''' are an ethnic group of people mainly in Burma ([[Myanmar]]) but with some across the border in [[Thailand]].

The '''Karen''' are an ethnic group of people mainly in Burma ([[Myanmar]]) but with some across the border in [[Thailand]].

The Karen have been fighting for independence since 1949, making it the world's longest-running [[civil war]], yet "almost entirely unreported".<ref name="PT">Thornton, Phil, with Adams, Phillip, [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2007/2022830.htm The Karen Conflict and Life on the Thai-Burma Border], ''Late Night Live'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 3rd September, 2007. <!-- (Audio starts at 14:07 and finishes at 31:04). --><!-- Audio no longer on web-site --></ref>

The Karen have been fighting for independence since 1949, making it the world's longest-running [[civil war]], yet "almost entirely unreported".<ref name="PT">Thornton</ref>

The population of the Karen people is officially 7,000,000, although the Karen people themselves claim it to be twice that.<ref name="KW">[http://www.karen.org/main.htm Karen Website]</ref><ref name="PT"/>

The population of the Karen people is officially 7,000,000, although the Karen people themselves claim it to be twice that.<ref name="KW">Karen Website</ref><ref name="PT" />

When the Karen were first visited by a [[European]] (a British diplomat) in 1795, the Karen were waiting for the fulfillment of a [[prophecy]] that they would one day be visited by a white man bringing with him a book, like they themselves lost long ago.  This book was written by the Supreme [[God]], Y'wa.<ref name="DR">Richardson, Don, ''Eternity in their Hearts'', 1984, pp. 73-108.</ref>

When the Karen were first visited by a [[European]] (a British diplomat) in 1795, the Karen were waiting for the fulfillment of a [[prophecy]] that they would one day be visited by a white man bringing with him a book, like they themselves lost long ago.  This book was written by the Supreme [[God]], Y'wa.<ref name="DR">Richardson</ref>

The Karen had resisted attempts by [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monks to convert the people to Buddhism, but when [[Christianity|Christian]] missionaries arrived many years later, many Karen readily embraced Christianity,<ref name="DR"/> which now makes up at least 30% of the Karen population.<ref name="KW"/>  [[Animism|Animists]] and Buddhists make up the rest.<ref name="KW"/>

The Karen had resisted attempts by [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monks to convert the people to Buddhism, but when [[Christianity|Christian]] missionaries arrived many years later, many Karen readily embraced Christianity,<ref name="DR" /> which now makes up at least 30% of the Karen population.<ref name="KW" />  [[Animism|Animists]] and Buddhists make up the rest.<ref name="KW" />

During [[World War II]], the Karen sided with the [[British]], despite Burma siding with [[Japan]].  This led to the Burmese military punishing the Karen.<ref name="PT"/>

During [[World War II]], the Karen sided with the [[British]], despite Burma siding with [[Japan]].  This led to the Burmese military punishing the Karen.<ref name="PT" />

Journalist Phil Thornton describes the Karen as a very ethical and not greedy people, with a long history of oral literature, respect for elders, and an unwillingness to take bribes.  They have never taken their fight outside their own territory.<ref name="PT"/>   

Journalist Phil Thornton describes the Karen as a very ethical and not greedy people, with a long history of oral literature, respect for elders, and an unwillingness to take bribes.  They have never taken their fight outside their own territory.<ref name="PT" />   

 

==References==

==References==