Arakanese
The Arakanese are an ancient ethnic group from the coastal region east of the Arakan Yoma mountain range in Myanmar, also known as Rakhine State. They trace their lineage back to early kingdoms, with claims of ancestry that date back as far as 2666 BCE. According to local legends, the first kingdom was established by King Vāsudeva, who united with a local princess, leading to a lineage of rulers that expanded their influence over Myanmar, Bengal, and parts of southern China. Although historical and archaeological evidence supporting these early claims varies, the region has been home to several dynasties until around 326 CE, when a significant shift in power occurred.
The Arakanese primarily speak a form of Burmese, characterized by an archaic accent. Traditionally, they have practiced Buddhism, with significant cultural artifacts, such as the Mahamuni sculpture, indicating the introduction of Buddhism around 146 CE. Over the centuries, the Arakanese have experienced invasions and rule by multiple powers, including the Mongols and the British, which have shaped their historical and cultural landscape. Understanding the Arakanese heritage provides insight into the complex history and identity of this group amidst the broader context of Myanmar’s diverse ethnic tapestry.
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Arakanese
Related civilization: Ancient Burma.
Date: c. 3000-2200 b.c.e.-700 c.e.
Locale: Myanmar
Arakanese
The Arakanese are an ancient Burmese ethnic group who inhabit the narrow coastal region east of the Arakan Yoma mountain range. The Arakanese claim a remote ancestry that has been variously dated. One account of the group’s antiquity claims that the founding of an Arakan kingdom occurred in 2666 b.c.e. and continued down through a line of some 227 princes. A second version attributes the founding of the first kingdom of the Rakhine (Arakan) Dynasty to a king named Vāsudeva, who married a local princess and became head of a powerful kingdom. Marayu, the couple’s son, conquered Vīsalī (Vaiśālī) and founded his capital at Dinnyawadi on the Thari River in 3000 b.c.e. Both accounts tell of the Rakhine extending their rule over all Myanmar and portions of Bengal and southern China. Although neither history nor archaeology confirms these claims, as many as nine dynasties were located in the region of Dinnyawadi until 326 c.e., when King Mahataing of the Chandra Dynasty moved his capital to Vīsalī. Later Burmese chronicles claim that the Arakanese migrated originally from the Irrawaddy Valley. The Arakanese speech is a form of Burmese with an archaic accent.
Although the earliest inscriptions and coins found in Arakan date from the fourth century c.e., evidence exists of earlier kingdoms in the region. The Arakanese were traditionally Buddhist, and the Mahamuni sculpture, which portrays the temptation of the historical Buddha, has been dated by archaeologists to circa 146 c.e. during the reign of Chandra Suriya, when Buddhism was said to have been introduced to Arakan. Early inscriptions also tell of two missionaries who brought Hinduism into the region and founded shrines at Vīsalī.
After 700 c.e., over the centuries, the Mongols, the Pegus, the Portuguese, and the British have invaded and ruled over the Arakanese.
Bibliography
Eliot, Joshua. Myanmar (Burma) Handbook. Bath, England: Footprint Handbooks, 1997.
Gutman, Pamela. Encyclopedia of Asian History. Edited by Ainslie T. Embree. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1988.