Last updated: 17
Jun
2022
Buddhist communities of Myanmar
Buddhism, specifically Theravāda Buddhism, is practiced by nearly 90% of the population of Myanmar, and is predominantly of the Theravada tradition.
Buddhists are most likely found among the Bamar people, Shan, Rakhine, Mon, Karen, and Chinese who are well integrated into Burmese society.
Monks, collectively known as the sangha (community), are venerated members of Burmese society.
Among many ethnic groups in Myanmar, including the Bamar and Shan, Theravada Buddhism is practiced in conjunction with the worship of nats, which are spirits who can intercede in worldly affairs.
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Chakma people
The Chakma people are a tribal group from the eastern-most regions of the Indian subcontinent. They are the largest ethnic group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of southeastern Bangladesh, and the second-largest in Mizoram, India. Other places in Northeast India also have significant Chakma populations. Around 60,000 Chakma people live in Arunachal Pradesh, India; a first generation migrated there in 1964 after the Kaptai Dam tragedy. Another 79,000 Chakmas live in Tripura, India, and 20,000-30,000 in Assam, India.
Khamti people
The Tai Khamti, (Khamti: တဲး ၵံးတီႈ, or simply Khamti as they are also known, are a Tai ethnic group native to the Hkamti Long, Mogaung and Myitkyina regions of Kachin State as well as Hkamti District of Sagaing Division of Myanmar. In India, they are found in Namsai district and Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Smaller numbers are present in Lakhimpur district, Dhemaji district and Munglang Khamti village in Tinsukia district of Assam and possibly in some parts of China. Khamtis have a population of 100,031 out of which 40,005 live in Arunachal Pradesh and 60,026 in Assam. However, in Myanmar their total population is estimated at 200,000 people.
Rakhine people
The Rakhine people or Arakanese people are a Southeast Asian ethnic group in Myanmar (Burma) forming the majority along the coastal region of present-day Rakhine State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar’s total population, but no accurate census figures exist. Rakhine people also live in the southeastern parts of Bangladesh, especially in Chittagong Division and Barisal Division. A group of Rakhine descendants, living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh at least since the 16th century, are known as the Marma people or Mog people.
Bamar people
The Bamar are a Southeast Asian Sino-Tibetan ethnic group native to Myanmar. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy River basin and speak the Burmese language, which is the sole official language of Myanmar at a national level. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with the broader culture of Myanmar.
Danu people
The Danu people are a government-recognized ethnic group in Myanmar, predominantly populating the areas near the Pindaya Caves in Shan State. They speak the Danu language.
Intha people
The Intha are members of a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group living around Inle Lake. There are around 100,000 to 200,000 Intha.
Kadu people
The Kadu people are an ethnic group in Myanmar. They speak the Kadu language.
Pa’O people
The Pa’O are the seventh largest ethnic nationality in Burma, with a population of approximately 1,800,000 to 2,000,000. Other name of Pa-O is PaU, PhyaU, Piao, Taungthu, Taungsu, Tongsu and Kula.
Shan people
The Shan people, also known as the Tai Long, or Tai Yai are a Tai ethnic group of Southeast Asia. The Shan are the biggest minority of Burma (Myanmar) and primarily live in the Shan State of this country, but also inhabit parts of Mandalay Region, Kachin State, and Kayin State, and in adjacent regions of China, Laos, Assam and Thailand. Though no reliable census has been taken in Burma since 1935, the Shan are estimated to number 4–6 million, with CIA Factbook giving an estimate of five million spread throughout Myanmar which is about 10% of the overall Burmese population.
Tibetans in Burma
Tibetans in Burma are a relatively unknown and unreached Tibetan population outside of Tibet. They are concentrated primarily in the northernmost village in Burma, Tahaundam. As early into the twentieth century as 1932, Tibetans, along with Chinese traders, conducted raids into the northernmost regions of Burma, often displacing the Derung pygmies who resided there. As recently as 2003, Tibetan Khampa traders still cross the border into Burma to conduct business”.
Yaw people
The Yaw people live in Gangaw District, Burma and Pakokku District number about 20,000 people. They speak the Yaw dialect of the Burmese language.
