Ramawadi in History

Arakha Times

We didn’t perish in the darkness of the night. When the sun was at its peak, at around 1 PM, the large bomb was dropped. The surrounding mountains and waters encircle the settlement of Ramree, home to different ethnic groups, each distinct in their way of life. The area is often referred to as “Kyauk Ni Maw,” with its small but significant harbor, where local fishermen, and sometimes even fish traders, flock.

A small port that comes into view as you speed along in a motorboat. It’s a place abundant with prawns and locally sourced fish, bustling with life. In the modern history of Rakhine, it is well-known as the starting point of conflicts initiated by Thida Htwe. It is a place so renowned that hardly anyone remains unaware of it.

Ramree is composed of districts, and its origins are linked to the Lord Kassapa Buddha. According to legend, while the Buddha and 500 monks were traveling across the sea to propagate the teachings of the Dharma, they saw an island resembling the shape of a wild duck. Descending from the sky, the Buddha set foot on the island and prophesied that it would flourish as a place for the propagation of Buddhism. Thus, it came to be known as Ramawadi.

The term Ramawadi is derived from the words Ramā, meaning “worthy of reverence,” and Wadi, meaning “abundance” or “perfection.” Over time, Ramree has been recognized as Ramawadi, signifying its historical and spiritual significance.

Ramree, bombarded by enemy airstrikes, spans an area of 1,350 square kilometers (520 square miles), making it Myanmar’s largest island and home to Wunbaik Mangrove Forest, the second largest in Asia. During World War II, this very mangrove forest became the rumored site where the formidable Japanese army mysteriously vanished, adding an air of mystery to Ramree’s historical significance.

The island is rich with forests, mountains, rivers, and streams, complemented by wide sandy beaches and abundant marine life and crops. The voices of the locals carry the sweet and melodic charm of Ramree, embodying its unique rhythm, grace, and spirit. Ramree isn’t just known for its vast salt fields—it’s also home to resilient, resourceful people who exude vitality and strength.

Ramree is deeply intertwined with history. It is said that the revered Kassapa Buddha blessed the island with his divine prophecy. The serene Nar Hmwe Stupa and the Sein Tauk Creek stand as silent witnesses to tales of longing and nostalgia. Indeed, Ramree is a land rich in history, steeped in legend and significance.

The Three Treasures, cherished like a crown atop the head, and the Five Precepts, steadfast like a waistcloth, are deeply rooted in the Kan-Tine Township. Within its rural heart, a young girl named Me Kyi emerged, her destiny unexpectedly altered by the turn of fate when she came into possession of a remarkable ruby.

This precious ruby transformed the life of the humble village girl, elevating her to the heights of royalty in the Shwe Nan Taw (Golden Palace) of Mrauk-U. Typically, royal rewards or gifts were sufficient to honor such a find, but when the ruby was seized by the king, it mysteriously found its way back to its rightful owner time and again. Both the girl and the ruby eventually became part of the royal court, where she was bestowed the title of “Padamyar Devi Soe Me Kyi,” named after the fateful ruby that changed her life.

In Rakhine history, no legacy of building pagodas, monasteries, or charitable acts compares to that of Queen Padamyar Devi. Yet, beyond her grandeur, it was her unwavering integrity and steadfast loyalty that truly endeared her to the people. Her virtuous character was evident when she sought to establish the magnificent Kaung Mu Taw Pagoda, summoning Shwe Thee, a renowned artisan from her childhood to the royal court.

Their reunion was unexpected, rekindling memories of a love they once shared but could not pursue due to the tides of destiny. However, the court’s schemers, jealous of their connection, plotted their downfall. Trapped in the web of deceit, the king, swayed by malicious counsel, issued a cruel and irrevocable decree: the execution of the two lovers.

On the serene waters of Sein Tauk Creek, Queen Padamyar Devi made her final stand, pledging her loyalty and love with her life. Her sacrifice resonated far and wide, spreading from the lands of Ramawadi to the plains of Arakan, becoming a tale of undying faith and love passed down through generations.

Today, the story of Queen Padamyar Devi lives on, whispered as a bedtime tale to Arakanese children, a poignant reminder that Ramree is a land steeped in history and undying devotion.

“With its protective embrace formed by the five great guardian hills—Inn Hill, Ban Hill, Myat Hill, Nyaung Hill, and Koyan Hill—Ramawadi was a city shielded by nature”. Enclosed by the grandeur of Aunng Taung, Bahan Taung, Yaymyat Taung, Nyaung Taung, and Koyan Taung, the city stood resilient, a symbol of fortitude and grace.

Looking back into the past, another queen’s life, much like that of the revered Queen Padamyar Devi, echoes with poignant tales of sacrifice and sorrow. These stories, steeped in the pain and resilience of the past, unfold in the history-laden heart of Ramree, narrating a legacy of devotion and endurance that continues to inspire.

The last days of Mrauk U and the final chapter of the Arakanese.

By the time of 1146 ME (Myanmar Era), on the waning 7th day of the Pyatho month, the sovereignty of the Arakan Kingdom fell. King Maha Thamada Raja, along with Queen Myat Thandar, the royal siblings, and all princes, were taken to Amarapura following the kingdom’s defeat.

Under the oppressive will of the Boedaw King, Queen Myat Thandar was forced to sever ties with her childhood love, her betrothed husband, for a compensation of 1,000 silver coins. This coerced separation and the subsequent annexation of the queen by the victorious king stand as profound symbols of the humiliation inflicted upon a vanquished nation. It was not just a personal tragedy but also an affront to the dignity and pride of the Arakanese people.

The defeated king lived out his days in the foreign land of his conquerors, while the queen, enduring her twilight years with silent grief, requested to return to her homeland to breathe her last. Upon her return, her remains were laid to rest in a humble tomb at Koyan Hill. The white grave of Queen Myat Thandar remains a poignant testament to her unwavering spirit, etched forever in the hearts of Ramawadi and the Arakanese people, as a symbol of their collective sorrow and resilience.

Why did Queen Padamyar Dewi and Queen Myat Htandar endure such sorrowful lives? Why do the fates of the two queens of Ramree seem to align so closely? Reflecting on it stirs emotions, and one can’t help but feel sorrow in the heart. Ramree is intertwined with history.

After the First English-Burmese War, Rakhine came under British rule, and during that time, Ramree was designated as a district town. Ramree is a region rich in literature, culture, and local traditions. In the history of Rakhine, it was the birthplace of prominent figures like the revered monk of Ramree Taung Monastery, who authored the “New Chronicle of Rakhine Kings”. It is also a place renowned for traditional boat races and its abundance of regional folk songs and poems.

“From the true origin, is it true?
In the white bottle, add water.
Clearly visible, with the blossoming brown flower.
To the young maiden’s beloved dear,
In the Haymar forest, both spirits and humans partake.
The noble, curved blossom reigns supreme.” (Female)

“My, longing flows like water,
Maiden, oh, my dear,
Within that little village,
Words escape like sighs,
Is it scorn you bear?
Yet longing remains unfulfilled,
Maiden, oh, my dear,
A person of this village,
White as the pearl,
Delicate, oh, my dear,
Longing persists,
Beloved of the maiden,
In the Haymar forest,
Neither spirits take nor humans claim,
A withered blossom from an ancient tree.” (Male)

Ramree is intertwined with history. With mastery in arts such as Bricklayer, goldsmith, carver techniques, Ramree excels in these crafts with great skill. Ramree is truly connected with history.

Now, under the murderous hands of those who spread terror, Ramree has been destroyed beyond repair. The tears of Ramree have become too difficult to shed. The suffering of Ramree has become too difficult to resolve, and the sound of Ramree ‘s breath has become hard to endure.

The sounds of cries of pain, curses, the faint sounds of dying flesh, and the emerging wounds, all serve as a question: what kind of blessings should be given to the survivors, those who remain after such torment? Ramree is intertwined with history.

In a place with no warfare, during the afternoon rest, while everyone is unwary, some ruthless individuals, without any reason, relying on weapons, began to unleash a bombing attack. The aftermath was hard to bear, Ramree…

The feelings of children, the elderly, and the survivors who were engulfed by the flames will never be erased. Ramree. Starting from the great mother, Padamyar Devi, to the tomb of Queen Myat Thandar, and the end of Thida Htwe the stone-cutter’s brick tomb, Ramree has fulfilled its duty in one history.

One day, with hands that were burned by fire and hands that suffered from the missile, we will all write together the new history of Ramree. We will sing together the countryside poems of Ramree with passion. We will carefully build the shining future of Ramree. But for now, there is still no answer to be found… My beloved Ramawadi.

“Can’t find the words to encourage or comfort, yet… Ram Ree…”

LU ZAW