Anglo-Burmese
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (52,000 in Myanmar, worldwide total unknown) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
|
Australia, India, Myanmar, United Kingdom, United States |
|
| Languages | |
| Burmese, English | |
| Religion | |
| Buddhism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
|
Anglo-Indians Bamar people English people Rakhine people Scottish people |
The Anglo-Burmese, also known as the Anglo-Burmans, are a community of Eurasians of Burmese and European descent, who emerged as a distinct community through mixed relations (sometimes permanent, sometimes temporary) between the British and other European settlers and the indigenous peoples of Burma from 1826 until 1948 when Myanmar gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Most who remained after 1962 adopted Burmese names, and converted to Buddhism to protect their families, jobs and assets. Those who could not adjust to the new way of life after Independence and the coming of military rule are dispersed throughout the world, with very few accurate estimates as to how many remain behind in military-ruled Burma.
The term Anglo-Burmese is also used to refer to Eurasians of European and other Burmese ethnic minority groups (e.g. Shan, Karen, Mon, Sino-Burmese) descent. It also, after 1937, included Anglo-Indian residents in Burma. Collectively, in the Burmese language, Eurasians are specifically known as bo kabya; the term kabya refers to persons of mixed ancestry or dual ethnicity.
The first Anglo-Burmese community emerged in the early 17th century as the Portuguese and Bamar people intermixed. This multicultural community was collectively known as the Ba-yin-gyi. The community was established near Syriam (modern Thanlyin) on the outskirts of modern-day Yangon. The settlement was founded by Filipe de Brito e Nicote. De Brito is said to have gone mad, having declared himself king of Lower Burma and captured Natshinnaung in an attack on Syriam, causing his outpost to be destroyed and himself executed by the Burmese king Anaukpetlun in 1613. Most of his small community of European settlers and their families was banished inland to Shwebo, then known as Moksobo; they were employed as gunners by the king and their descendants settled along the Mu River. When the British Burma Army was established in 1937, it was the Anglo-Burmans who comprised the only anti-aircraft battery.
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