According to the historical evidences of China, in AD 350, the Tibeto-Burman, Mon-Khamar and Thai-Chinese have dwelled in the area now called Myanmar. Some Myanmar entered from the Kantsu Province, Athan and Yunnan Province of China. Along the journey, about AD 800 and AD 794, Bhamar had attacked by the Nankyaung so that subsequently moved to the Minbu, Kyaukse and the other places where the Ayeyarwaddy and other mighty rivers flow. Those people comprise of one hundred and thirty five different tribes. Among them, there are the main eight major ethnics, namely; Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bhamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. Bhamar are 69 percent of the total population.

Kachin

Kachin are originated from Tata Chinese and called them Jinphaws. Those people have many own dialects and alphabets. The major Kachin tribal groups are Jinphaw, Maru, Lashi, Azee, Rawang and Lesu. Their language would be varied and different depending on the region. Bhamaw, Moehnyin, Moekaung, Khattcho and Waingmaw are important ancient cities of the Kachin history. Putao, Sunprabon, Myitkyina, Kamine and Phakant are famous for unique nature and culture. Their belief and customary have influenced all over the Kachin people such as astrology, palmistry and other do’s and don’ts of the ethnical conservation. Kachin have their famous and magnificent festivals like various Manaw Festivals. These are as followed.

1) Padan Manaw: It is held for the conquest of the wars.
2) Suut Manaw: It is held for wealthy and friendship.
3) Juu Manaw: It is held for illness and after the death of old relative ages.
4) Kwanran Manaw: It is held when a member of the household established a new land so that they inform to the King of Spirit, Madaing.
5) Shaditphawt Manaw: It is held in order to against all evils from the new land and showing the King of Spirit, Madaing.

In addition, there are many Manaw Festivals to hold for the various purposes despite over hundred of spirits exist which offer to major 18 spirits and of course the King of Spirit, Madaing.

Kayah

The Kayah are descendants of Tibeto-Burman and Kayin. Formerly, called them Red Kayin comprising Gebar, Gekho, Kayan, Maye, Manumanao, Yinbao and Yintale dwell in the smallest state of Myanmar, the Kayah State. The capital city is Loikaw and other major cities are Demawso, Pruso, Balake, Phasaung, Mesenan and Shataw. The Kayah believe that they are directly derived from Keinnery and Keinnara, the mythical bird couple which are half bird and half human being. That is why, a mark of those bird couple is a land mark of Kayah State.

Although Kaya State is the smallest in Myanmar, there are some kinds of tribe, namely, Kayah, Geko, Gebar, Paye, Marumanaw, Inther and Bhamar in their State. The most important instrument of magic for their Kala festival is a Farsi (drum). Buffalos, Cows, Pigs, especially chickens, bees and silkworm are their domestic animals.

Among the Kayah that live in Shan hills and Kayah State, many of Padaung women still adhere to old custom that must surely uncomfortable. From the age of five, they can choose to permanently wear brass coils around their neck and more added as they grow older. Similar brass rings are also coiled around their legs, making it difficult for them to walk or sit with ease. It is described in many tourist guide books as Giraffe Women and that is really improper so that can be called women with a long elegant neck or the ladies of the ring.

Kayin

Kawthoole now called Kayin State is the state of Kayin people. It is from north to south 325 miles, the widest part of east to west is 70 miles and total area is 11730 square miles. Bhamar, Kayin, Kayah, Pa O, Mon, Shan and many other different tribes resided in the Kayin State. The main Kayin tribal groups would be two. These are Poe Kayin and Sakaw Kayin. According to the region, there are different dialects such as Southern Kayin and Northern Kayin. Moreover, again, the Kayin who dwell in the eastern parts of the Sittaung River and the western parts of the Sittaung River would also be varied.

Kayin living in the plane land is called Paku Kayin and other on the mountains and hillsides are called Sakaw Kayin. Most of Kayin men are fond of their traditional boxing and Sakaw Kayin men are the good hunters. Pha An, Hlaing Bwe, Kawtgoon Cave, Bayint Nyi Cave, Wepyan Cave, Phayone Cave and Saddan Cave are the major attractions of the Kayin State.

Chin

The Chin people are the same group of Tibeto-Burman like Bhamar people. Despite the entire Chin tribal groups came from Kuke major ethnic group, there are 27 different Chin tribes. There are 44 different dialects used in Chin social environment. The land of Chin races lies northwards of Rakhine State and many Chin tribes have settled at the various parts of the Chin State. The women of this tribe tattoo their faces and some parts of the bodies with fine blue lines in elegant patterns, saying their ancestors did it to prevent marrying tribes to carry off the beautiful women. However, the lines enhance the structure of their faces and make them even more alluring. Chin people comprise Tetain Chin, Palet Wa Chin, Falang Chin, Matupe Chin, Mindat Chin, Kanpetlet Chin and Kabaw Chin. Most of them are Christians and animists and only 2 percent of the entire Chin population is Buddhists.

Between birth and death, they live on their mountains, hunting animals and growing plants. And then they love music and dance. The most important of their living are silkworm firms for economic products.

Mon

The 2.4 percent of the entire population of Myanmar are Mon. Mon is the one of the most advanced tribes of Myanmar. Their civilization has been spreading all in the many areas of Asia. As the trade with Thailand, India and Sri Lanka, the cultures of those countries were relationship with Mon.

Mon were one of the earliest distinct groups to reside in Myanmar, moved into Myanmar in 1500 BC. The Mon, one of the ethnic groups in Southeast Asia and major tribe of Myanmar, dwelling in an area around the southern Thailand-Burmese border and lower Myanmar are believed to be around 8 million people. They strongly retain their culture and language. Mon people are the introducer of Theravada Buddhism at a very early stage in their history. There are many places for the tourism destinations in Mon State such as Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock pagoda), Mawlamyine (the capital city of Mon State) and many other attractions in Mon State.

Rakhine

The Rakhine people formerly called Arakanese are a sub-ethnic group of the western coastal region. They constitute 4% of Myanmar's entire population. Their culture is slightly different from the Bhamar. They speak an archaic dialect of Burmese. The Rakhine have been greatly influenced by the Indian culture, and traces of Bengali influence remain in many aspects of Rakhine culture, including its literature, music, and cuisine.

According to the history of Rakhine, the first independent Arakan kingdom was established in the fourth century A.D. A kingdom called Dhanyawady arose in the Arakan region in the 1st century AD. Situated at the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Division, Bago Division and Ayeyarwaddy Division in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. The capital is Sittwe (formerly known as Akyab). The remaining ethnic groups are Mro, Khami (Khumi), Kaman Muslim, Dienet, Marmagri and a few others. The majority of people are Buddhists. In Rakhine State, there are many places to visit such as Mrauk U, one of an ancient cities and Ngapali Beach, which is famous for the un-spoilt situation.

Shan

The Shan are major ethnic group of Myanmar. The Shan live primarily in the Shan State of Myanmar and dwell mostly on the plains of the Shan Plateau, where the Thanlwin River flows. The capital city of Shan state is Taunggyi and some major cities are Lashio, Kengtung and Tachileik. Shan are the oldest branch of the Tai ethnic group known as "Tai Long", that is "Great Tai". Later Shan immigrants to Laos and Thailand were called "Tai Noi" which means "Little Tai". The Shan are traditionally wet-rice cultivators, shopkeepers, and artisans. Most of the Shan are Theravada Buddhists and observe their traditional religion, which is related to animist practices. The Shan language is part of the Tai languages group of the Tai-Kadai language family, and is related to Thai and Lao. The southern Shan use the alphabet based on the Burmese alphabet.

Minorities

Akha

In dark blue jackets and wide-bottomed trousers, the Akha live in the northeast of Shan State near Kengtung. The women’s costumes are intricately embroidered jackets and elaborate silver jewelry. Akha are known for their wonderful colored handicrafts and clothing. Their carved wooden gates offer their guardian spirits. Every Akha village is slightly different

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Nationalities