Agriculture and Farming

The Karens are predominantly rice farmers. Throughout their existence they have based their lives on the cultivation of paddy, and their villages are moved from one location to another in order to harvest what is the most important part of their diet.

The main method employed by the hill Karens is a slash and burn technique (in Burmese 'ya'), although the Burmese government tried to limit the amount of land the Karen could farm in an effort to discourage the practice, which involves selecting a new hill side, clearing it and then burning it so that the burnt ashes can act as a kind of fertilizer.

After a suitable area has been found a ritual involving casting and reading chicken bones is performed. Should a good omen be shown then the land is burnt and once the rainy season has started the grain is planted.

During the cultivation process a ritual ('theh a Ku') was held to appease the animist gods of the hills, land, fire, heat and cold. Liquor and and a live chicken are laid on one of two alters which have already been smeared with blood from another two dead birds. An incantation his recited in hope of gaining favour with the gods in an attempt to gain a good harvest. Although such rituals are reported to have become less elaborate through the years.

Whilst most Karens are occupied as rice farmers, those in the delta use a different technique similar to that employed by the Burmese, a number are also involved in farming betel nut, vegetables and a number of other kinds of crops.