Palaung
The Palaung are descendent of Mon-Khmer peoople. Thye live mainly in the mountains of northern Shan State, where they are fmaous for cultivating tea. The Burmans and Shans divided them into Shwe (Gold) and Pale (Silver) Palaungs on the basis of their dress.
Although retaining many aspects of traditional spirit worship, most Palaungs practise Buddhism and there are monasteries in almost every village. Many communities, however, have been badly affected by the armed conflict of the past thirty years.
These Palaungs live in Pin Ne Bang village above Kalaw in the western Shan State and can be seen regularly in Kalaw market. Their costume is one of the most colourful of all the hill-tribes. Women wear red, pink, black and blue jackets over a red striped longyi. Like Kachin women, Palaungs also wear lacquered bamboo hoops around the waist when they are married, as well as silver toques and heavy strings of beads.
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