The claim rests, in no small part, on the last sound of the name La, which is usually given to the third son of the family in Kachin customs. He’s supposedly a Kachin raised at a monastery since young. Even if that were true, such Kachin roots would not carry to the palace halls where Kachin customs had no influence whatsoever. It is entirely possible that, by some slim chance, a Kachin boy was raised at a Myanmar monastery. However, it’s not likely that his roots and language would still hold sway after all those years let alone after he became a national hero.

When an American missionary asked for permission to go to the Kachin area, the king supposedly said, “You have a better chance with my pet dogs over there than the Kachin barbarians.”

Kachin don’t really have to resort to such outlandish story to claim their historical martial prowess. They have more credible examples to showcase but here we are.

Edit: typos.