Burma

The Union of Myanmar (Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw) since 1989. Previously the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma (1974–89) and renamed in 1989 on the orders of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) (and now the State Peace and Development Council) for international use because 'Burma' was held to be a relic of European colonialism; Union of Burma (1948–74) on independence. Between 1886 and 1937 Burma was a province of the British Indian Empire, but it was detached in 1937 to become a crown colony and given a degree of self-government. Locally, from the 13th century, the country has been known as Myanma, which is taken from Mranma, the local name for the Burmese people and their language. Myan means 'swift' and ma 'strong'. The English 'Burma' is derived from Bamma which is the Burmese pronunciation of Mranma. Another reason why Myanmar was considered more acceptable to the SLORC than Burma is because it is not confined to a single ethnic group. (There are over 60 such groups in the country, Burman referring to the majority ethnic group. Internationally, Burmese is accepted as referring to the indigenous inhabitants generally.) Very often the r of Myanmar is not printed because it is merely an English addition to lengthen the pronunciation of the preceding a. The Burmese domestic cat takes its name from Burma, as does the Birman, the sacred cat of Burma.

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