U Maung Nyi was born in Kyaukse on 15 April, 1936 and, at the time of my interview, had just turned 85. Most people now know him as David which was the name he took when he studied Mining Engineering in Otago, New Zealand in the late 1950s on a Colombo Plan scholarship.
Wikitravel advises the first Myanmar probably settled in the area of Kyaukse about 800AD and local 12th and 13th century inscriptions refer to Kyaukse as “the first home.” Remains of Pagodas and old cities are found throughout the area. The Shwe Thar Lyaung Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta, is located in Kyaukse. The surrounding area consists of a level strip running south from Mandalay along the foothills of the Shan Plateau. The area is located in the heart of Myanmar’s dry zone but is drained by the Panlaung and Zawgyi rivers, which were used for an ancient irrigation-canal system that predates Myanmar settlement in the area. The main lines of the canal system were supposedly dug by order of King Anawrahta in the 11th century. They are the largest of the historic irrigation works in Myanmar. The canalized area, traditionally the main Myanmar granary, was repaired and expanded under the British; it produces high yields of rice. Kyaukse has been an important area in Myanmar history. It is well irrigated and lush and has been ever since the bagan era when it was known as the granary of the kingdom. King Anawrahta built numerous fortresses along his kingdom’s borders, as well as along the rivers flowing within his lands. Tamote was one of nine fortresses along the rivers of Kyaukse region, erected because he needed protection against invasion by water. The Kyaukse area is known for its turmeric, mango and onions and has quite a large market and is where David’s mother had a stall.
As a mining engineer he spent many years working at Bawdwin, Myanmar’s famous lead, silver and zinc mine which during colonial times was the largest such mine in the world. Herbert Hoover, the 31st US President, made his fortune investing in Bawdwin. David eventually became its Mine Superintendent from 1983 to 1986 and was then promoted to become General Manager of a new copper mine at Monya (known as No. 1 Copper Mine). As you will hear from his life story, his resignation from this role after the 1988 riots and coup had far reaching consequences on the lives of all his family.
David told me that he was literarily inclined since his school days when he wrote short stories and poems which were published in magazines during his time studying in Mandalay. He carried this interest to Otago and to his time working at Bawdwin and No 1 Copper mine. But during the “dark days” following his resignation from the Government in 1989 the urge to write abandoned him and only returned post 2000. He wrote his first book in English on insight meditation in 2005 and has continued writing up to today. His most recent book in English is “What is Buddhism, a religion or a philosophy?” If you are interested in a copy please let me know.
Peter Church blog 