Diverse Groups of People

Kaws, Lahu Tai Yai, Lisu, Pa-O, Was, Palaung, Tai Nuer, Tai Kye

The Shan or Tai makes approximately 65 percent of the population of the Shan State. The true Shans live along the river valleys, who based their livelihood and economy on wet rice cultivation and other food crops. They breed cattle for drawing bullock carts, which in the past had served them as means of transport for trade and other purposes. Buffaloes are used for tilting the paddy fields.
 

The Palaung, who call themselves Ta-arng is about 7 percent of the population. They live in the mountainous region of Namhsan or Tawngpeng in Northern Shan State, but also found in smaller groups in other parts of the Shan States.  They are noted for their tea plantation and in the past have been successful  in exporting English tea, Shan tea( green tea)
and pickled tea.

The Pa-O (or Taungthu) like the Palaung makes up 7 per cent of the Shan State population and are found in Southern Shan State, in villages on the out skirt Taunggyi, Kalaw and other Shan towns bordering Burma Proper. They come into the towns on market days to sell their fruit and vegetables to the town folks.

The Wa, constitutes about 5 percent of the Shan State population. Originally, they inhabit the eastern and northernmountainous region along the Salween River and in the border areas of Shan State and China. Recently they have been forced by the military regime to relocate south and to take over the land and homes of the Lahus and Shans. The Wa make their living on the mountain slopes using the slash and burn method of cultivation. Now, most of them earn their living by growing poppies which they turn into opium and amphetamines..

The Kachin - The Kachin in the Shan State are found in the far north, along the mountainous areas along the Kachin and Shan State border. They make their living by breeding cattle, and growing food crops such as corn and rice.
 

Dha-nu are Burmese speaking group but with a dialect quite different from that of the real Burmans. They have settled in the  lowlands on the western area of the Shan plateau along the Burma Proper and Shan State borders. Most of them are rice and vegetable farmers while a few are traders.

Taungyo (Taunglur)-The Taungyos are similar to the Pa-Os in appearance except that their costume tends to be reddish brown instead of black

Intha -meaning Lake People- The Inthas are noted for their floating villages with houses built on stilts in the Inle Lake,  situated in Yawnghwe State.. They grow rice and vegetables by the hydroponics method and are famous for their silk weaving and other home industries. Their peculiar way of life and the use of their legs instead of their arms for rowing boats are well known to international tourists. Like the Dhanus, the Inthas speak their own dialect of Burmese language.

The Akha or Kaws- live in the hilly regions of Kengtung, along the border areas of Shan State and Thailand, and Shan State and Laos. They are recognizable by their beautiful , colourful costume and accessories.

Lahu- (Musoe)In the remote mountainous regions of Northern and Southern Shan State. They earn their living by using the slash and burn method of farming.

Padaung- the Padaung are the original inhabitants of Kayah State; in the Shan State they are found in areas bordering  Kayah State and eastern part of Shan State particularly in Mongpai. The women folks are known by the adorning their necks with brass or silver rings.. Foreigners describe them as the "giraffeneck" people.

The Kokangese- Kokang was at one time a small state under Hsenwi, in Northern Shan State, which later became separated. The inhabitants are mainly Chinese and Shan- Chinese who depend their livelihood on trading across the borders with China, while a few are also farmers and cattle breeders

Chinese and Indians - are mostly business people, the majority of whom especially Indians are the descendents of immigrants who migrated to the Shan State during the British Regime. The number of Chinese immigrants, in recent years has increased especially around Lashio and Mandalay.

The Burmans- In the past, as the opportunity of making a living in Burma Proper was better than in the Shan State, there
were not many Burman citizens in the Shan State. During the Military regimes the situation changed. The Burmans are now
scattered all over the Shan State, mainly as the regimes' administrative workers, or families of the military officers and soldiers.
A few, also on their own accord have come to find jobs in the towns and the countryside.

The above are the main ethnic groups who are the inhabitants of the Shan States. If any group has been left out, I apologise, and I will put it right if you send me some information and photographs of the group.