Lay Moo Tun

Hello, my name is Lay Moo Tun, an Indigenous Karen (Kah-Ren) from Myanmar. Though I may not have lived through the conflict directly, I grew up with stories passed down from my parents and elders. I want to bring attention to the Karen conflict in Myanmar—a brutal struggle that began in the 19th century and still affects us today. Rooted in unfulfilled promises of independence by the British during colonial rule, this conflict is entwined with the Burmese Civil War—the longest-running civil war in history. The Burmese military, with an intent to erase Karen villages, sees our culture as relics for a museum.