Welcome to Kyaing Tong :): Beautiful Traditional Costumes in Shan State

               Myanmar is a country rich in culture and heritage, and of course, its people. There are seven divisions and seven states and mainly 8 ethnic groups. Also there are about 135 distinct tribal groups which are sub groups of the eight main ethnic races and are grouped primarily according to region rather the dialects spoken or ethnic connection. The official eight main ethnic tribes are: Kachin,Kayah,Kayin,Chin, Burmar, Mon,Rakhine and Shan.
               Shan state is possibly the largest state in Myanmar with its ethnic community and divided into Eastern, Southern and Northern Shan State. In Southern Shan State, Taunggyi which is the Capital city of Shan State and is common state closer to other parts of Myanmar. In Eastern Shan State, Kyaing Tong, of course, which is the second biggest city after Taunggyi and closer to Thailand. And Northern Shan State, Lashio which is in upper part of Myanmar and closer to China. They speak a language that is closely similar to Thai and Lao. Majority practice Theravada Buddhism and most of them living in the Shan State. They are estimated to number 3 to 4 million.
               The Shan Ethnic Race for instance would include 33 sub-groups that would speak variations of dialects but its origins could be traced to four major languages. In culture and appearance, it feels closer to the hill town of Northern Thailand and Southern China, and the vast majority of the town's residents belong to one of several Tai ethnic groups: Shan, Tai Lü, Tai Khün and Tai Nuea.
               Below are beautiful traditional costumes of Shan State which are very colorful, stylish and fashionable. As I mentioned above some of the costumes are similar to Northern Thailand and Southern China.
(I give special thanks and credits to all the rightful owners of these pictures)