(On Going)
Following the collapse in June 2011 of the 1994 ceasefire between the Burmese army and ethnic Kachin Independence Army (KIA) troops, fighting broke out in the Kachin State of Burma and continued the civil war started since the country became independent in 1948.
Laiza, a small border town with China’s Yunnan province, was chosen to be home to the headquarters of the ethnic Kachin rebels and its political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). It was developed as an administrative and commercial center for rebel-controlled parts and is home to 20.000 civilians. Due to the conflict, around two third of these civilians are living in 4 camps around the town with the systemic lack of common needs.
As life goes on, this photo essay chronicles the normal lives of people in Laiza including civilians, soldiers and members of KIA and KIO who are suffering the horrors of an long intermittently war and trying to save their ethnic cultures.
Life in Laiza 2013
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. A middle aged Kachin soldier waits for the convoy of KIO leaders to pass by. A peace talk between KIO and the Burma government occur in Myitkyina, Kachin State the next day.
September 26, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. An unofficial border gate between Kachin State and China's Yunan province.
September 27, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. The hotel used to be a favorite gambling place for Chinese from Yunnan prince. After the fighting broke out, it becomes the headquarter of the KIO.
September 29, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. View from a kindergarten built by international NGOs.
September 29, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. A group of soldiers fish using electric sticks. The river is around 1 kilometer away from the frontline.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. A soldier waits for his General attending the opening event of a new library.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Military officers attend the opening of the annual Laiza football league.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Football player take the athletes oath and pray on the opening of a week long annual Laiza football league.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Break time between a match of Laiza football league. Most of the players are soldiers.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Children wait for the opening of the annual Laiza football league.
October 7, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. People gather to see one game of Laiza football league near a portable bathroom.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Leaders of KIO and KIA have an internal meeting before departing to Myitkyina, Kachin State to attend a two-day peace talk with Myanmar Government with the observe of United Nation Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Myanmar, Vijay Nambiar.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Young Kachin man on a hangover night.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Outside guarding during an meeting of KIO and KIA's leaders.
October 6, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Boys collect leftovers from the neighbors to feed their pigs.
September 29, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. Playground of a kindergarten built by international NGOs.
October 5, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. On patrol through the muddy road. These banana fields belong to Chinese businessmen.
October 1, 2013. Laiza, Kachin State, Myanmar. The central stadium is a favorite drinking place for young Kachin men.
