Effects of Migration on Two Small Villages Between Pyalin and Gonmin Chaungs, Pantanaw Township, Ayeyarwady Region

Abstract

This study focuses on international migrants from two small villages: Hse Gyi and Yone Ngu. These two villages are flooded during the rainy season. Wikipedia defines human migration as “the movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. The movement is often over long distances and from one country to another, but internal migration is also possible; indeed, this is the dominant form globally. Migration may be by individuals or family units.” National Geographic (2005) defines migration (human) as the movement of people from one place in the world to another for the purpose of taking up permanent or semi-permanent residence, usually across a political boundary. An example of “semi-permanent residence” would be the seasonal movements of migrant farm labourers. People can either choose to move (“voluntary migration”) or be forced to move (“involuntary migration”). Return migration is the voluntary movements of immigrants back to their place of origin. This is also known as circular migration. Jessica Hagen-Zanker (2010, p. 9) wrote: “Migration is the temporary or permanent movement of individuals or groups of people from one geographic location to another for various reasons ranging from better employment possibilities to persecution.” This chapter examines these movements of people and their effects on two small villages in Pantanaw Township, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar.