This report begins to describe the ontology of the Karen people in Kawthayghu, a community within the Salween Peace Park, where Indigenous ways of knowing and living are deeply intertwined with the natural world. Their relationship with the land is shaped by generations of ecological knowledge, spiritual beliefs, and cultural traditions that guide conservation practices. Unlike conventional conservation models that separate humans from nature, Karen stewardship is rooted in reciprocity and maintaining relations with more-than-human beings.
This paper is a modest attempt to interpret and document myths, beliefs and practices as evidence of harmonious coexistence with nature. This report offers only a starting point in exploring Karen ontology in greater depth. By examining the conservation ethos in Kawthayghu, the species and landscapes protected through Indigenous knowledge, and the cultural narratives that sustain them, it aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the Karen worldview and its role in maintaining territories of life.
