Minority Tribes

MYANMAR HAS MORE THAN 135 ETHNIC GROUPS THAT HAVE LONG BEEN LIVING TOGETHER THROUGH THICK AND THIN. THE MYANMAR RACE CONSISTS OF BAMAR, CHIN, KACHIN, KAYAH, KAYIN, MON, RAKHINE AND SHAN. BAMAR, OUT OF THEM, REPRESENTS THE 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL INHABITANTS OF THE COUNTRY.

BAMAR

It is said by the 10th century Bamar tribe came to prominence. Their language belonged to the same Tibeto-Burmese language family as the Pyu, which have been described as the proto-Burmese. It is still debatable whether they migrated down the Ayayarwaddy valley from Yunan province or whether they were the direct descendents of the fallen Pyu. These people make their home throughout the Ayeyarwaddy delta and majority are Buddhists.

CHIN

Chin State, in the far west of Myanmar, is the traditional home of Chin culture. Almost half a million people live in the state's 10,206 square kilometers. Traditionally, Chin women tattoo their faces and wear ornaments of bronze and copper. Chin men historically have dressed in an almost western style, with pants and shirts. Most of Chin state is closed to foreigner traveler; some northern parts of the state, however, are open with prior permission. Of interest to both local and foreign travelers, is Mount Victoria, renowned for its bird-watching.

KACHIN

Kachin, living in the extreme north of Myanmar is also known as Jing Phaw. Bordering China to the east and India to the north Kachin state comprises 55,006 square kilometers. The majority of the state's 1.4 million inhabitants are Kachins, although the state is home to another 13 ethnic groups. Most of the 1.2 million inhabitants live upland, where the Malihka, Ayeyarwaddy, Tanainghka, and Mehka rivers form green valleys. kachins are originally from the Tibeto-burman tribe. They recognize the spirit world presided over by Karai Kaseng as supreme deity. They periodically pay homage to the Nats, with the ceremonies involving animal sacrifices as a means of gaining favor with the spirits.

KAYAH

Kayah state is one of the smallest in Myanmar - only a quarter of a million people live in this eastern enclave of 7,248 square kilometers. Kayah's beautiful mountains house numerous tribes: at last count, at least eight ethnic groups living in the state. Among them are the Taungthu, Padaung, Yinbaw, Bre and the majority Kayah. The Kayahs are a mix of animists, Christians and Buddhists. The region's most famous religious festival is the Kuhtobo in May, which celebrates the rain spirits.

KAYIN

Kayin State, located in the southeast of the country on the Thai border, is the home of 1.6 million people, among them around one million of residents are ethnic Kayin. They are the third largest tribal groups in the country. Total area is 18,770 square kilometers and much of the north and east of the state are off-limits to foreign travelers. There are many Christians and Buddhist among the Kayin people.

MON

Mon people lives in the southern part of the country. They are believed to have entered into Myanmar earlier than Bamar race. They are Mon-Khmar origin and their native land was once called Ramanya. Their unique culture dramatically influence on Myanmar language, literature and music.

SHAN

Shan State, the largest of any of Myanmar's states and divisions, occupying almost a quarter of Myanmar's total land mass - 96,248 square kilometers - lies in the east of the country bordering with China, Laos and Thailand. The state's five million inhabitants come from a variety of ethnic groups. Although the majority people of the state are Shan ethnic, the Palaung, Kachin, Kaw, Lahu, Kokang, Wa, Padaung and Taungthu are also numerous. The state is open to the influence of Thailand and their language are quite similar to Thai. Most of the ethnic embraces Buddhism and the state was once divided into 32 territories and ruled by the hereditary chieftains known as Sao-bwas. The best known destination in the state is Inle Lake, a breathtakingly calm body of water ringed by hills and known as Venice of the east.

OTHERS