Total population | |
---|---|
(4–6 million (est.)) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Burma | n/a |
North Thailand | n/a |
Yunnan province of China | n/a |
Laos | n/a |
Languages | |
Shan, Burmese, others | |
Religion | |
Theravada Buddhism, Animism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Kuki, Kachin, Karen, Chin, Mizo Kula, Thai, Lao, Tai peoples |
The Shan (Shan: တႆး; Shan pronunciation: [táj], Burmese: ရှမ်းလူမျိုး; [ʃán lùmjó]; Thai: ไทใหญ่ or ฉาน; Chinese: 掸族 or 傣族; pinyin: Shànzú, Dǎizú) are a Tai ethnic group of Southeast Asia. The Shan live primarily in the Shan State of Burma (Myanmar), but also inhabit parts of Mandalay Region, Kachin State, and Kayin State, and in adjacent regions of China, Laos and Thailand. Though no reliable census has been taken in Burma since 1935, the Shan are estimated to number 4–6 million.
The capital of Shan State is Taunggyi, the fifth-largest city in Myanmar with about 390,000 people. Other major cities include Thibaw (Hsipaw), Lashio, Kengtung and Tachileik.