Kant Kaw Ni Ni, Narinjara News, 10 March 2025
The historical research book “Dhanyawadi Indigenous Mro Ethnic Group,” focusing on the Mro ethnic community in Arakan State, has been finished but is encountering financial challenges for its release.
The author of the book is Sayar Tet Toe (Mi Kyaung), a Mro individual who completed his studies at the Christian Theological College in India. He started composing the book in 2021 and finished it by the end of 2024.
U Thein Aung, the secretary of the Mro National Literature and Culture Association, informed Narinjara News that the book is finished, but it is experiencing financial challenges for its publication.
"We have been attempting to release this historical research book since its completion, but we have faced challenges in publishing it due to financial constraints," U Thein Aung stated.
The book explores the beginnings of two Mro ethnic groups—Mro (Mrucha) and Mro (Khimi)—and seeks to diminish ethnic divisions among the Mro communities in the future Arakan region, while also fostering social harmony, as stated by U Thein Aung.
"In the future Arakan region, we aim to minimize ethnic animosity and prejudice among our minority communities to the greatest extent possible. We anticipate that the Mro (Khimi), Mro (Mrucha), and Khimi groups will coexist peacefully. We also seek to participate in transparent dialogues and work together to support regional growth," he stated.
U Thein Aung highlighted that the book is vital for safeguarding the history of the Mro people and will assist government officials and other parties in grasping the authentic history of the Mro community as they plan for the nation’s future.
The Mro community, an ethnic group in Arakan State, has a population exceeding 30,000, as stated by U Zani Phyu, the chairman of the Mro Literature and Culture Association.
They reside in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Ponnagyun, and Kyauktaw townships, with the highest number of people living in Maungdaw Township.
The Mro community relies on forests and mountains for their survival, mainly by farming. Nonetheless, because of transportation obstacles and their remoteness from cities, they encounter major issues in education, healthcare, social interactions, and the economy.