Kachin gathered to celebrate Kachin Revolution Day in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, this Wednesday.

The commemoration, led by the Kachin Nationals Consultative Assembly, attracted about 4,000 people and was joined by religious leaders.

Prayers were held and there were singing and theatre performances by local youth.

Sayar Lon Awng, an organizer, told KNG, achieving revolution for the Kachin people is a long process. “We have yet to reach our goal, therefore, we need a strong spirit to continue our movement until we get there.”

Kachin Revolution Day honours seven Kachin university students that formed the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) in 1960 and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) the following year.

Revolution isn’t just the arms struggle, it’s also about participation in the political movement and the Kachin national movement, Sayar Lon Awng said.

The KIO/KIA commemorated the anniversary at their Laiza headquarters near the China border.