The White Umbrella - A Woman's Struggle for Freedom in Burma

by Patricia W. Elliott

The story of Sao Hearn Hkam of Burma. Born into royalty, sold in marriage, she fought against tradition, foreign invaders and the brute power of a crazed general. Her journey from Princess, to Member of Parliament, to rebel leader, to exile is an inspiration and a revelation - about Burma, about Southeast Asia, and about the games of superpowers played out in real life. Includes b/w photo reproductions & chapter notes. "Triumphant" The Bangkok Post.

398 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Thinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

10 years ago, I saw this book at my school’s library. I brought the book along with me on my way for my hiking trip to Kalaw. I planned to finish it during my trip but I couldn’t. After the trip, I lost interest in the book. Fast forward to 5 years, my mentor took me to the bookstore and told me to take any book I want to read. This book was one of the books among others. My mentor paid for the books. He said after I finished reading this book, we should discuss it. Sadly, he passed away and I felt guilty that I couldn’t finish the book.

I finally decided to read the book and it surprised me. No wonder my mentor wanted to discuss this book with me. There are so many facts that I didn’t know about Saopha and the uprising of 1962. While I was reading this book, I wanted to hate someone. This hatred emerged from my mind.

Through this book, I don’t like U Nu at all. He manipulated religion for part of his political scam. He even became a monk and died peacefully. Where is karma though? He literally handed the power to General Nay Win without thinking much.

Burma people manipulated the trust of ethnic groups. Panglong Agreement was such a scam for ethnic groups, especially for Shan people. The Saophas even sent out the telegram to London stating that General Aung San didn’t represent the Shan territory. 🤯 I also got the broader view that why U Saw had a lot of resentments towards Executive Council members and assassinated them.

After the General took over the country, he created a lot of chaotic events. Prince Shwe Thaike got arrested along with other members but somehow he passed away while imprisoned. I don’t like his character at all but his sudden death made me sad. Sao Hearn Hkam (the prominent wife of Prince Shwe Thaike) had to flee the country after her husband’s death.

The book mentioned the opium trade in the golden triangle. Olive Yang and the Yang Family created a huge impact. Even Lo Hsin Han and Chang Shi-fu (Khun Sa) used to work under Olive Yang. I wonder what could have happened if Tzang successfully made arrangements among Lo Hsin Han and Americans. 🥶

I don’t like how the writer approached the book. I don’t get the essence that Sao did everything she could in order to save her country (The Shan State). Somehow I felt like Sao didn’t know her privilege and was very ignorant about her own people. She was bewildered when local people complained about Saophas. Most of the Saophas sent their children to Europe elite schools while they just sparing a little money for the local charity, she thought her husband worked hard for the people? 🙄

Well it’s a good book to read because you will learn a lot about Myanmar.

“They’re good fighters, the Tai, once they make up their minds, she thought. The funny thing is, they never make up their minds. Maybe her children would have better luck, although they often made the same mistakes as she did in her younger days: sometimes too impatient, sometimes too imperious.”

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[Ben Lachman]

I've been meaning to read this ever since we went to Burma two years ago. We'll see if it happens.