Cannon Soldiers of Burma

The early 16th century; a time of adventure and exploration when bold men dared to brave uncharted seas in search of exotic lands. One such group, a band of young Portuguese sailors seeking fame and fortune, arrived at Burma’s western shores for trade but found much more. Their ability to impress the Burmese Kings with their sophisticated cannons and muskets started a relationship that at first made them masters of their own fate but quickly evolved into their total enslavement.

The early 16th century; a time of adventure and exploration when bold men dared to brave uncharted seas in search of exotic lands. One such group, a band of young Portuguese sailors seeking fame and fortune, arrived at Burma’s western shores for trade but found much more. Their ability to impress the Burmese Kings with their sophisticated cannons and muskets started a relationship that at first made them masters of their own fate but quickly evolved into their total enslavement. As years went by, the Portuguese began to get more involved in the internal affairs of the divided ethnic city states and the power struggles of the Burmese kings. Working as paid mercenaries, the Portuguese would fight on the side of any king who could pay more. This time of greatness came to an end as one audacious mercenary, Phillipe de Brito, was given the governorship of Syriam port by a trusting Rakhine king, but his greed and deceptive ways soon angered the king. The king attacked Syriam but de Brito fought back and won the first round. Then another king attacked Syriam, this time de Brito was executed and the enraged king destroyed Syriam and killed all of de Brito’s family in Martaban. Amid the chaos de Brito’s beautiful widow Dona Luisa de Brito returns from Goa with a convoy of five Portuguese ships. All aboard were taken prisoner. Bold and defiant, Luisa emerges as a true leader, and promises her people that she will stand by them, no matter where their future will be. Bound by chains and yokes they are forced to march a torturous five hundred miles to Ava, the King’s seat of power. With very little food and mounting brutality, the hellish seventy five day journey begins. Suppressing her own grief, Dona Luisa endures unbelievable punishment to fight hunger, poverty and mistreatment of her fellow prisoners under the brutality of a crazed king. With only her deep faith and strong will to sustain her, she would eventually lead her people to freedom and a land of their own; the Land of the “Two Rivers Valley”. Far from Portugal and imprisoned within a strange land, the story of Luisa and the group of Portuguese prisoners deals with the isolation and sadness, survival amid hardships, deep in the middle of Burma. She was enslaved by one king but was granted freedom by another kind and generous king, as she makes Burma her permanent home. This book is a revelation about two hundred years of lost Burmese history and a past that is largely unknown by its modern peoples. It presents the sacrifices of the “Cannon Soldiers of Burma”, their contribution and influence towards Burmese society. It shows its characters’ perseverance and strength as they try to assimilate into Burmese culture while preserving their own beliefs and convictions. Finally, it serves to reconnect the author with the rich history of his ancestors as he presents his heritage as a true descendant of the Two Rivers Valley.

James Myint Swe was born in Chan Tha Ywa, one of the Portuguese settlement villages in Burma/ Myanmar. He migrated to Canada in 1976. Politics has always been a favorite subject and he holds an honors degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario. While working as a full time healthcare professional at St. Joseph’s Health Care Center he received the Masters of Healthcare Administration degree from Siena Heights University, Michigan, USA. James Myint Swe’s political interest continued as he advocated for democracy in Burma and worked under Dr. Sein Win, the exiled Prime Minster of Burma (NCGUB), in Washington, DC, as a director of the Prime Minister’s Office, sharing the responsibility with his close friend U Nwe Aung from Germany. James Myint Swe is also the author of Introduction to Contemporary Political Structure. This book about political theory became a reality due to an opportunity of a lifetime: meeting world leaders, working closely with foreign governments and opposition party leaders, and visiting numerous countries, as well as taking part in decision making meetings with government ministers. Dealing with foreign governments in person provided valuable hands-on experience in foreign policy and also an understanding of political power on a global level. Valuable lessons were also learned from working with Non Government Organization (NGO) agents and grass roots organizations. For their diligent work in the local community and assisting the medical clinic at the Burma/Thailand border, Myint Swe and his wife Janis were awarded the Peace medallion in 1995 and the Mayor’s Honor award in 2009. The couple resides in Sarnia, Ontario. They have three children and four grandchildren.