Laizo, Asho Chin in Burma’s ethnic TV programme

11 September 2013: The first TV programme of Burma’s National Races Channel aired since last Sunday includes sessions in two languages (dialects) of Asho and Laizo Chin.

The channel features various programmes in ethnic languages such as Kachin, Karenni, Skaw Karen, Eastern Pwo Karen, Western Pwo Karen, Laizo Chin, Asho Chin, Mon, Arakanese, Shan and Wa, according to DVB.

Run from Nay Pyi Taw by state-owned MRTV (Myanmar Radio and Television), the newly introduced TV channel can be viewed only in Rangoon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

It is said that it will also be broadcast in other parts of the country starting from next Sunday.

A ceremony to officially launch the National Races Channel was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 7 September 2013.

Laizo is a dialect mostly spoken in Falam Township in nothern Chin State, linguistically close to Mizo language in India.

Asho is one of the Chin tribes mainly scattered in Rakhine State, Bago (Pegu) Region and Thayet District of Magwe Region.

Burma’s ethnic nationalities collectively consitute 40 percent of the whole population and inhabit 60 percent of the land.#