The Palaung people of Myanmar are living in the Shan State (East). It is one of the 100 plus ethnic minorities; they have their own tradition and language (Austroasiatic) which is totally different from Burmese or Shan, Palaung people speak Palaung and Shan, but rarely Burmese and even from a village to another, they have different dialects. The main Palaung villages gather about 120 houses (or family). Their religion is often considered as a mix of Buddhism and Animism.

Whereas many associate Buddhism with a pacifistic lifestyle, the Palaung in Burma have a 40-year history of armed resistance through the Palaung State Liberation Army (PSLA) — the military wing of their political liberation organization. This army is often fighting along with the Shan State Liberation Army against the governmental army (during these 3 days trek in the mountains we encountered the PSLA who asked us if we met any members of the regular army on our way).

Because of the fights happening in the region – and other things Burmese government does not want tourists to see, the authorized area is quite limited and the same villages are visited again and again. During the high season, between 20 and 40 tourists are visiting the same 100-houses-village per day. This tourism industry started 3 4 years ago and last for about 4 months a year. It is still the beginning and in a way tourism injects money in these remote villages enabling villagers to pay for their children education, for healthcare, or simply improve their lifestyle.

But despite the amazing scenery and the friendly Palaung people, being in these villages I had the impression that my sightseeing deprived of genuine interaction with locals. At this pace, I am wondering what will be left in a few years of this “authentic” minority villages.


Sources :
http://www.peoplesoftheworld.org/text?people=Palaung
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma