Brief History of American Siyin

By Thawng Tunngo

During the 20th century, a few Siyin people came to America for various reasons, including further education, attending meetings, and working on ships in the ocean. However, towards the end of the century, Siyin people began migrating to America for better opportunities. Dr. Vum Son Suantak was the first Siyin to migrate to the USA in 1984. In 1990, Khai Cin Pau arrived in the USA, and afterward, some Siyin such as Dr. Huat Za Mang’s family, Vum Kho Tual, Ngocinthawng Suantak, Lian Kam, Hungh Khan Cin, Mang Khawm Pau, and Khai Khan Dal arrived in the USA to live for better opportunities. Around the year 2000, the total number of Siyin people living in America was less than 30. Between 2000 and 2002, some Siyin people came to America from South Korea by ocean liners, and some came to America from Guam as refugees, while some of the first comers’ family arrived. So, at the end of 2002, there were around 50 Siyin people living in the United States. In 2003 and 2004, around 20 Siyin people arrived in America via Mexico and sought asylum. In December 2005, Ngo Thian Pau and his family, who later earned his doctorate degree in America, arrived from Malaysia as the first batch, and more Siyin people kept coming from Malaysia. As of the end of 2023, there are about 2000 Siyin living in the United States.

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The first Siyin community Sizang Innkuan

As a Siyin traditional saying, “Black Mithun (buffalo) loves only fellow black Mithun.” the first Siyin immigrants to America love each other and formed a Siyin community called Sizang Innkuan. Although it was not officially registered with the United States government, it was the first-ever organized Siyin community in American Siyin history. The Sizang Innkuan held a community picnic once a year and had worship services every Sunday in each family’s home. However, as the community body was not registered and did not have systematic rules and regulations, and everyone came from different religious backgrounds and beliefs, the Sizang Innkuan stopped all activities in 2003.

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American Siyin’s Informal Financial Assistance Program

In 2004, some American Siyin formed a group to help each other in times of financial trouble. Although the group did not have an official name, its members collected a small amount of money and kept it. When someone had financial hardship, they borrowed from the fund without interest. Some Siyin people who had financial hardship benefited from this program. However, as the group was not formed systematically and did not have any rules and regulations, it eventually vanished again.

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American Siyin Churches

In 1997, the Calvary Burmese Church was established in Washington DC, and it quickly became a hub for Siyin people living around Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. Over the years, the church grew in popularity and became a cornerstone of the Siyin community in the region.

On May 7, 2006, the Sizang Burmese Mission Church (SBMC) was established in the United States as the first-ever Siyin church. The church was founded to serve the growing number of Siyin people in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC area and to provide them with a place to worship and connect with others who shared their culture and traditions. On March 26, 2018, SBMC purchased their own church building. The first pastor of the Sizang Burmese Mission Church was Rev. Dr. James Sing Za Khai, and during October 2008 through February 2009, Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai served as a visiting pastor. When Rev. Dr. James Sing Za Khai moved to California, from July 5, 2009 Rev. Cin Do Thawng became senior pastor. From March 10, 2010, Rev. Dr. Cin Za Mang was appointed as Assistant Pastor, and later Pastor Silas Khaino became youth pastor.

On April 24, 2011, the US Siyin Baptist Church was established, which was later renamed to Siyin-Chin Baptist Church (SCBC). The church was founded to provide a place of worship for Siyin people, especially those from a Baptist background who were not affiliated with the Calvary Burmese Church or the Sizang Burmese Mission Church. The first senior pastor of the Siyin-Chin Baptist Church was Rev. D Kip Thian Pau. Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai, Rev. Naomi Kam, and Rev. Awi Khawmhuai Tunngo also served as executive and associate pastors at the beginning. When Rev. Kip Thian Pau moved to Washington State, Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai became the Senior Pastor on January 1, 2013, and on June 15, 2013, Pastor John Lian Khai became the assistant pastor. Rev. Dr. Vungh Lian also served as visiting pastor from January 2015 to December 2016, and from January 2016 through June 2018, he served as an associate pastor.

Other Siyin churches and fellowship groups have been established in various states. In 2012, a few Siyin people living in the Seattle area formed the Washington Sizang Innkuan and began worshiping together under the leadership of Rev. D Kip Thian Pau. They initially wanted to establish a Siyin church, but due to the small Siyin population and the fact that many of them were already participating in various churches, they abandoned the idea.

The Indiana Siyin Baptist Church (ISBC) was established in Indianapolis on March 31, 2017. In 2022, they purchased their own church building. Rev. Hang Khan Nang served as the first senior pastor of ISBC from September 9, 2017. When Rev. Hang Khan Nang returned to Burma, from July 2018, Rev. Dr. Vungh Lian took over as the pastor of ISBC. On April 1, 2023, Rev. Suan Za Khai was added to the pastor team as an associate pastor.

In Wisconsin state, the Milwaukee Siyin-Chin Baptist Church was started on March 20, 2019. Unfortunately, after about three years, it dissolved due to various difficulties.

American Siyin Minister group was formed in 2023. The first chairperson was Rev. Kip Thian Pau. The first American Siyin Minister conference was held in Sizang Burmese Mission Church (SBMC) during November 23 through 25, 2023. There was about 20 Siyin minister through out United States.

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The Establishment of The America Sizang Innkuan (ASI)

After CBMC and SCBC churches were established, they became the primary social and religious centers for Siyin people in the region. However, as Siyin people were living separately across all states in America, and these two churches could not reach out to all states, the demand for an organization that could reach out to all states became necessary.

In 2014, Khai Cin Pau and visiting Christian minister from Burma, Rev. Dr. Cope Suan Pau, Rev. James Nang Khai, Rev. Cin Za Dal, and Rev. Tuang Nang traveled to Buffalo, New York state, and met with Siyin people who were living there. The Siyin families who lived there said that every other Chin people had their own community and helped each other among their community when any life’s hardship encountered, but Siyin people did not have any such community or organization. They complained about why they never established their own community. They suggested that since most Siyin people in the states lived around Washington DC, the Siyin people who lived around Washington DC should start thinking about establishing a community body that would reach out to all Siyin affairs in various states.

In 2015, after the Siyin family picnic, some picnic organizers met at Dr. Thang Za Lian’s residence in Virginia to do the picnic financial closure statement. In this meeting, Khai Cin Pau mentioned what he had heard from the Siyin family in Buffalo, and the group discussed establishing a Siyin community body that would reach out to all Siyin people living in all states. The group decided to invite Siyin people living around Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and to hold a meeting to establish a Siyin Community group. On September 18, 2015, Siyin people had a meeting at Thawng Khancin Tunngo’s home in Maryland to discuss the matter. The meeting was attended by Rev. Dr. Vungh Lian, Rev. Cin Do Thawng, Thian Za Thang, Dr. Thang Za Lian, Khai Khan Lian, Khai Cin Pau, Khup Khanpau Tunngo, Mang Khawm Pau, Tual Vum, Kyint Do Cope Samte, Kam Khan Kimlai, Ngo Dal, Thawng Cin Dal, David Thangkhanmung Khaman, and Thawng Khancin Tunngo.

The first-ever meeting held to establish the Siyin social community officially formed the America Sizang Innkuan and selected the following people to lead the group.

• Advisor 1 – Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai
• Advisor 2 – Rev. Cin Do Thawng
• Advisor 3 – Rev. Dr. Vungh Lian
• Advisor 4 – Rev. Dr. Cin Za Mang
• Advisor 5 – Pa Thian Za Thang
• Chairman – Pa Khai Cin Pau
• Vice Chairman – Pa Dr. Thang Za Lian
• Secretary – Pa Thawng Khancin Tunngo
• Asst. Secretary – Pa Kyint Do Cope Samte
• Treasurer – Pa Khai Khan Lian
• Asst. Treasurer – Pa Tual Vum
• Accountant 1 – Pa Mang Khawm Pau
• Accountant 2 – Pa Ngo Dal
• Auditor 1 – Pa Kam Khan Kimlai
• Auditor 2 – Pa Thawng Cin Dal
• Auditor 3 – Tg. David Thangkhanmung Khaman

At the meeting, it was decided that the next meeting would be held at Ngo Dal’s residence in Virginia on November 21, 2015. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the aims and objectives of the group and how it should work. During the second meeting held in Virginia, the following individuals were present: Dr. Pau Za Nang, Rev. Dr. Vungh Lian, Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai, Thian Za Thang, Khai Khan Lian, Khai Cin Pau, Khup Khanpau Tunngo, Tual Vum, Kyint Do Cope Samte, Kam Khan Kimlai, Ngo Dal, Hlian Do, Vum Za Kamsuanh, Tuang Pum Dal, David Thankhanmung Khaman, Mang Cin Khai, Tun Khat Pau, Mann Kyi, Cing Pum Neam, and Thawng Khan Tunngo.

At the first meeting, the America Sizang Innkuan was formed. During the second meeting, a roadmap for running the group was drawn up. A subcommittee consisting of Rev. Dr. Vungh Lian, Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai, Tual Vum, and Kyint Do Cope was formed to create the bylaws. The second meeting also decided to collect fees from members, including a $10 admission fee, $10 annual fee, and $20 funeral benefit fee. If a member dies, $5000 will be paid to the bereaved family or to the deceased member’s beneficiary. If both parents are members, all their children under 18 years of age will be counted as full members without any fees. The America Sizang Innkuan began functioning properly in January 2016.”

At the second meeting, it was decided that the American Sizang Innkuan would hold a Siyin Picnic in July around America’s Independence Day and celebrate Thanksgiving in November annually. The leadership of the America Sizang Innkuan would organize these events every year. Another decision made during the meeting was to support and promote the new generation from Burma who excel in education as much as possible. The group also decided to work closely with the General Secretary of the Siyin Region Baptist Association.

As the group did not have funds previously, it had to rely on fundraising to keep running. However, funds collected for the funeral benefit cannot be used for Siyin Picnic and Thanksgiving events. Therefore, the group had to raise separate funds for these events. The funeral benefit fund, which was collected from members and the general fund, is kept separately in a separate bank account. Although the group decided in the second meeting to support excel youth from Burma as much as possible, it was not practically feasible due to the limited number of members and income. As of 2023, only about 400 members have joined the group, and there are not enough funds to support the cause.

America Sizang Innkuan (ASI) Cares for Its Members

In the group’s first year of establishment in 2016, three members, Ngo Dal, Kam Mun Mang, and Ciang Lun Cing, passed away. As the group was just starting out and did not have enough funds to pay $5000 to each deceased member’s family, it had to borrow the money from Khai Cin Pau, who was the chairman of the group. The group collected $20 from each member and returned the money back.

Since the group’s establishment in 2016, it has lost members every year as follows.

• 2017  – Suan Mang
• 2018  –  Thian Za Thang
• 2019  –  Dr. Thang Za Lian
• 2020  –  Niang Dim Pau, Tai Leng, Yung Sein, Tun Za Cing, Khai Khai
• 2021  –  Vum Za Kai, Hau Khaw Neam, Thian Huai, Man Za Dim, Cing Za Vai
• 2022  –  Tual Khan Khai, Pau Thian Khai, Cing Za Vung
• 2023  –  Niang Khan Neam

Although they were not members of the group, some Siyin individuals passed away in the following years: two in 2016, one in 2017, three in 2018, and one in 2019. The group sent condolence letters and floral arrangements to their funerals.

ASI Elections

According to the bylaws of America Sizang Inkuan, the group is required to hold an election every two years to select its leaders. Elections were held in 2018, 2020, and 2022. However, due to the group’s relative youth and lack of maturity, there were not many significant changes during the 2018 and 2020 elections. The 2022 election was held on November 5 at Khai Cin Pau’s residence in Frederick. During the election, Tual Vum requested to resign due to personal matters. The request was granted, and Ngo Thian Tun was elected unanimously as his replacement by all attendees. Additionally, Lian Kam, Ngocinthawng Suantak, and Cin Za Pau were added to the advisory group, and Donglamcin Zalang was elected as assistant treasurer for the main fund. Another significant change in 2022 was the formation of new departments such as the Information Technology department (IT), Sport Department, and Music Department. The following state representatives were also appointed:

1. Georgia State –                 Pau Za Kap
2. Washington State –         Kip Thian Pau, James Dal
3. Indianapolis (IN) –          Kam Dopau Kuntong
4. Fort Wayne (IN) –           Thawng Cin Dal
5. Texas State –                    Cing Za Huai
6. Kentucky State –              Dr. Thang Za Kap, Tun Thian Khup
7. N Carolina State –           Mang Do Pau
8. Buffalo (NY) –                  JM Khup Khan Hau
9. Syracuse & New York –  Thang Khat Pum
10. Pennsylvania State –      David Thangkhanmung Khaman
11. Michigan State –              Hang Za Kap, Soe Win
12. West Virginia State –      Thang Khaw Thawng
13. Tennessee State –            Lian Suankhai Tunngo

Siyin Picnic Thanksgiving  

Since its establishment, America Sizang Innkuan has organized and conducted Siyin Picnic in July and Thanksgiving in November every year, except during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, after the pandemic, the Siyin picnic was held again on July 1. However, some executive members argued that Thanksgiving should be organized by churches, so Thanksgiving was not organized and held by America Sizang Innkuan since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. After the pandemic in 2023, the combined Siyin Thanksgiving was organized and held by Sizang Burmese Mission Church and Siyin-Chin Baptist Church.

American Siyin Directory

Another significant achievement of America Sizang Innkuan (ASI) is publishing Siyin directories of the USA. The first directory book was established in 2017, the second one in 2019, and the third Siyin Directory of the USA was published at the end of 2023.

Siyin Aid Organization (SAO)

In February 2021, a military coup occurred in Burma, leading to widespread protests across the country. The military responded with violence, shooting protesters and killing innocent citizens, as well as burning down homes. As a result, many armed resistance organizations emerged throughout the country. Due to the army’s violence, the entire country is experiencing problems, including skyrocketing commodity prices and a large number of people fleeing and hiding in the mountains.

In response to these challenges, the Siyin Chin Organization Aid (SCOA), was established in November 2021 to support the Siyin people who are suffering from various problems caused by the military. When SCOA established, the group was led by Tuang Pum Dal (Lophei), Hlian Do (Voklak), Khai Khan Lian (Limkhai), Kyin Mung (Khuasak) and Thawng Tunngo (Thuklai). SCOA changed its name to Siyin Aid Organization (SAO) later. The organization provides aid to those who have been displaced or affected by the violence, including food, shelter, education, and medical assistance. The Siyin Aid Organization is one of many groups working to address the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

The Siyin Aid Organization (SAO) is a community-based non-profit organization that supports Siyin people in Burma. The SAO collects funds from Siyin people in America and sends all kinds of assistance to those in need. After one year, at the end of November 2022, the SAO collected about $86,000 and sent $83,000 to Burma as aid.

American Siyin Today

The first Siyin people arrived in America in 1984, and since then, the Siyin population has grown to about 2,000 people in the United States. Many of them were born in America, and some of the first-generation immigrants have passed away. However, as most of them are still alive, the Siyin language is still widely used among the community. Some Siyin children born in the States prefer to use English, but many families still teach their children the Siyin language and use it in their homes.

Compiled by Thawng Tunngo