Zinme Yazawin: The Burmese Chronicle of Chiang Mai

Zinme Yazawin: The Burmese Chronicle of Chiang Mai

The Zinme Yazawin, which translates literally from Burmese as the "Chronicle of Chiang Mai," serves as a vital historical record of the Lan Na region. Written from a Burmese perspective, this chronicle provides a detailed account of the period when the region was under the administration of the Kingdom of Burma.

Key Facts

  • Original Title: Zinme Yazawin (ဇင်းမယ် ရာဇဝင်)
  • Author: Sithu Gamani Thingyan
  • Origin: Kingdom of Burma, 18th century
  • Historical Focus: Lan Na under Burmese rule (1558–1775)
  • English Translation: First published in 2003 by Thaw Kaung and Ni Ni Myint

Historical Context and Scope

The Zinme Yazawin is part of the broader tradition of Burmese chronicles—formal historical narratives used to document the lineage of kings and the expansion of the empire. This specific work focuses on the history of Lan Na, a kingdom centered in northern Thailand, during the era of Burmese hegemony.

The chronicle covers the timeframe from 1558 to 1775, documenting the political and social dynamics of the region during these two centuries of Burmese rule.

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Publication and Translation

Originally composed in the 18th century within the Kingdom of Burma, the text remained in the Burmese language for centuries. To make this historical perspective accessible to a global audience, translators Thaw Kaung and Ni Ni Myint produced the first English version, which was published in 2003.

A subsequent publication related to the work appeared in 2006, ensuring that the scholarly community could analyze the Burmese interpretation of Lan Na's history alongside local Thai records.

Summary of Zinme Yazawin Publication Details
Attribute Detail
Author Sithu Gamani Thingyan
Original Language Burmese
Original Century 18th Century
English Translators Thaw Kaung and Ni Ni Myint
English Publication Year 2003
Genre Chronicle / History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zinme Yazawin?

It is an 18th-century Burmese chronicle that documents the history of the Lan Na region during the period of Burmese rule.

Who wrote the chronicle?

The author of the Zinme Yazawin is Sithu Gamani Thingyan.

What specific time period does the text cover?

The chronicle focuses on the history of Lan Na from 1558 to 1775.

When was the chronicle first translated into English?

The first English translation was published in 2003, translated by Thaw Kaung and Ni Ni Myint.

Where was the original text produced?

The original chronicle was written in the Kingdom of Burma.