burman

Burman, also known as the Bamar or Burmese, refers to the largest ethnic group in Myanmar and to the language they speak. The term Bamar is the endonym used by the people themselves, while Burman is a common English exonym that appears in historical and international contexts. The Burman are predominantly Hindu? No, predominantly Theravada Buddhist. They form the majority in much of the central lowland region of Myanmar.

Geographically, Burman communities are concentrated in the central Irrawaddy Valley, where they have historically been the ethnic majority and the core of political and cultural life. The Burmese language, spoken by the Burman, belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family and uses the Burmese script. It is the official language of Myanmar and serves as a lingua franca in many parts of the country.

Historically, Burman identity coalesced in the central plains. By the 9th to 11th centuries, Burman dynasties established the Pagan Kingdom, which laid the foundations for a unified Burmese state and the spread of Theravada Buddhism. Later empires, including the Taungoo and Konbaung dynasties, expanded and sustained Burmese rule. In the 19th century, Myanmar fell under British colonial rule and regained independence in 1948. Since then, the Burman-majority has been central to national politics within a multiethnic nation and has shaped, and been shaped by, inter-ethnic relations.

Culture and religion are strongly influenced by Theravada Buddhism, which informs festivals, monastic life, literature, and the arts. Traditional dress such as the longyi is common, and pagodas and temples are prominent features of the landscape.

Today the Burman are the largest ethnic group in Myanmar, with diaspora communities around the world. In contemporary discussions, the term Burman can be used interchangeably with Bamar in general references, while some contexts prefer the endonym Bamar to emphasize ethnic identity.