List of ethnic groups in Myanmar
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Myanmar (Burma) is an ethnically diverse nation with 135 distinct ethnic groups officially recognised by the Burmese government. These are grouped into eight "major national ethnic races":
The "major national ethnic races" are grouped primarily according to region rather than linguistic or ethnic affiliation, as for example the Shan Major National Ethnic Race includes 33 ethnic groups speaking languages in at least four widely differing language families.[1]
The list has faced criticism for overcounting the number of ethnic groups. Specifically, it represents clans and people withh dialectical differences as distinct ethnic groups, sometimes even repeating the same group under a different name.[2] According to Gamanii, a researcher who scrutinized the claim, only 59 out of the 135 ethnic groups mentioned can be verified as existing entities.[3]
Many unrecognised ethnic groups exist, the largest being the Burmese Chinese and Panthay (who together form 3% of the population), Burmese Indians (who form 2% of the population), Rohingya, Anglo-Burmese and Gurkha. There are no official statistics regarding the population of the latter two groups, although unofficial estimates place around 52,000 Anglo-Burmese in Burma with around 1.6 million outside the country.
Officially recognized ethnic groups
[edit]Note: The list is very controversial. Many of the names and spelling variants are known only from this list.[3][6]
- Kachin comprises 12 different ethnic groups
- 1. Kachin see: Jingpo people
- 2. Tarone see: Taron people
- 3. Dalaung, unknown[7]
- 4. Jinghpaw see: Singpho people
- 5. Guari, unknown[7]
- 6. Hkahku see: Jingpo people
- 7. Duleng, unknown[7]
- 8. Maru (Lawgore)
- 9. Rawang see Nung Rawang
- 10. Lashi (La Chit)
- 11. Atsi see Zaiwa language
- 12. Lisu
- Kayah comprises 9 different ethnic groups
Note, a known questionable source.[8]
- 13. Kayah (Karenni)
- 14. Zayein (Lahta; Gaungto; Loilong Karens)
- 15. Ka-Yun (Kayan; Padaung)
- 16. Gheko (Karen, Geko)
- 17. Kebar, maybe translation error for Geba Karen language
- 18. Bre (Ka-Yaw; Kayaw)
- 19. Manu Manaw (Manumanaw)
- 20. Yin Talai, maybe Yintale
- 21. Yin Baw (Yinbaw)
- Kayin comprises 11 different ethnic groups
- 22. Karen (Kayin)
- 23. Kayinpyu (Geba Karen)
- 24. Pa-Le-Chi, maybe Mobwa
- 25. Mon Kayin (Sarpyu), unknown[7]
- 26. Sgaw (Karen, S’gaw)
- 27. Ta-Lay-Pwa, maybe Thalebwa[7]
- 28. Paku (Karen, Paku)
- 29. Bwe (Bwe Karen)
- 30. Monnepwa (Karen, Paku)
- 31. Monpwa, unknown[7]
- 32. Shu (Pwo Kayin)
- Chin comprises 53 different ethnic groups
Possibly originally a list of tax rate districts. With the highest tax first.
- 33. Chin
- 34. Meithei (Meitei; Kathe)
- 35. Saline (ethnic group)
- 36. Ka-Lin-Kaw people (Lushay)
- 37. Khumi (Khami)
- 38. Mro-Khimi people
- 39. Khawno
- 40. Kaungso
- 41. Kaung Saing Chin
- 42. Kwelshin (Khualsim)
- 43. Kwangli (Sim)
- 44. Gunte people (Lyente; Falam)
- 45. Gwete (Guite)
- 46. Ngorn (Chin, Ngawn)
- 47. Siyin (Sizaang), (Sizang)[7]
- 48. Sentang
- 49. Saing Zan
- 50. Za-How (Zahau)
- 51. Zotung
- 52. Zo-Pe
- 53. Zo
- 54. Zanniat (Zanniet)
- 55. Tapong
- 56. Tiddim (Hai-Dim)
- 57. Tay-Zan
- 58. Taishon (Tashon)
- 59. Thado
- 60. Torr people (Tawr)
- 61. Dim
- 62. Dai (Yindu)
- 63. Naga
- 64. Tangkhul
- 65. Malin
- 66. Panun
- 67. Magun
- 68. Matu
- 69. Miram (Mara, Shendu, Lakher, etc.)
- 70. Mi-er
- 71. Mgan
- 72. Lushei (Lushay)
- 73. Laymyo
- 74. Lyente
- 75. Lautu
- 76. Lai (Haka Chin)
- 77. Laizao
- 78. Mro (Wakim)
- 79. Hualngo
- 80. Anu
- 81. Anun
- 82. Oo-Pu
- 83. Lhinbu
- 84. Asho (Plain)
- 85. Rongtu
- Burman comprises 9 ethnic groups
- 86. Burman (Bamar)
- 87. Dawei of Dawei city
- 88. Beik
- 89. Yaw
- 90. Yabein
- 91. Kadu (Kado)
- 92. Ganan
- 93. Salone (Salon; Moken)
- 94. Hpon
- Mon comprises 1 ethnic group
- 95. Mon
- Rakhine comprises 7 ethnic groups
- 96. Rakhine (Arakanese)
- 97. Kamein
- 98. Khami
- 99. Daingnet
- 100. Maramagyi
- 101. Mro people (Awa Khami)
- 102. Thet
- Shan comprises 33 ethnic groups
- 103. Shan (Tai)
- 104. Yun (Lao)
- 105. Kwi
- 106. Pyin
- 107. Yao (Mien)
- 108. Danaw (Danau)
- 109. Pale
- 110. Eng (En)
- 111. Son
- 112. Khamu (Khmu)
- 113. Kaw (Akha-E-Kaw)
- 114. Kokant (Kokang)
- 115. Khamti Shan
- 116. Hkun (Khün)
- 117. Taungyo
- 118. Danu
- 119. Palaung
- 120. Man Zi/Myaung Zi (Hmong)
- 121. Yin Kya
- 122. Yin Net
- 123. Shan Gale
- 124. Shan Gyi
- 125. Lahu
- 126. Intha
- 127. Eik-swair
- 128. Pa-O (Taungthu; Black Karen)
- 129. Tai-Loi
- 130. Tai-Leng (Red Shan)
- 131. Tai-Lon
- 132. Tai-Lay
- 133. Maingtha (Achang)
- 134. Maw Shan
- 135. Wa (Va)
List grouped by language family
[edit]- Chinese
- Kokang (Mandarin Chinese dialect; sometimes spelled Kokant)
- Tibeto-Burman
- Burman (Bamar)
- Anu
- Asho (Plain)
- Atsi
- Beik
- Bwe
- Chin
- Ngawn
- Dalaung
- Danu
- Dawei
- Dim
- Duleng
- Ganan
- Gheko
- Gunte (Lyente)
- Haulngo
- Hpon
- Intha
- Kachin (Jingpo)
- Kadu (Kado)
- Karen (Kayin)
- Kaw (Akha-E-Kaw, Akha)
- Kayinpyu (Geba Karen)
- Khams Tibetan
- Kwelshin
- Lahu
- Tai
- Shan
- Hkun (also spelled Khün)
- Khamti Shan
- Thai
- Indo-Aryan
- Daignet people
- Kamein
- Maramagyi
- Lai (Haka Chin)
- Laizo
- Lashi (La Chit)
- Lisu
- Lyente
- Maingtha
- Marma
- Maru (Lawgore)
- Meitei/Pangal (also spelled Meithei or Kathe)
- Miram (Mara)
- Monnepwa
- Mro (Wakim)
- Naga
- Pa-O
- Pyin
- Rakhine (Arakanese)
- Rawang
- Sgaw
- Shu (Pwo)
- Taron
- Taungyo
- Thet
- Tiddim (Hai-Dim)
- Torr (also spelled Tawr)
- Yaw
- Zo
- Zophei
- Zotung
- Yao
- Mon–Khmer
- Mon
- Danaw (also spelled Danau)
- Khmu (Khamu)
- Tai-Loi
- Wa (Va)
- Palaung
- Pale
- Malayo-Polynesian
- Malay
- Moken (also spelled Salon or Salone)
Unrecognised ethnic groups
[edit]The government of Myanmar does not recognise several ethnic groups as being among the list of 135 officially recognised ethnic groups:
- Anglo-Burmese people
- Burmese Chinese
- Panthay[9]
- Burmese Indians[10]
- Taungtha people
- Rohingya people
- Burmese gorkhas/Nepalese
- Burmese Mizos
- Jews
- Bamar Muslims (Pathi)
Note: This is a list of is languages, and the name of a language are not always the same as the name of an ethnic group.
- Achang [acn]
- Akeu [aeu]
- Akha [ahk]
- Anal [anm]
- Anong [nun]
- Blang [blr]
- Burmese [mya]
- Chak [ckh]
- Chakma [ccp]
- Chin:
- Chin, Anu-Hkongso [anl]
- Chin, Asho [csh]
- Chin, Bawm [bgr]
- Chin, Bualkhaw [cbl]
- Chin, Chinbon [cnb]
- Chin, Daai [dao]
- Chin, Dim [ctd]
- Chin, Eastern Khumi [cek]
- Chin, Falam [cfm]
- Chin, Haka [cnh]
- Chin, Kaang [ckn]
- Chin, Khumi [cnk]
- Chin, Laitu [clj]
- Chin, Lautu [clt]
- Chin, Mara [mrh]
- Chin, Matu [hlt]
- Chin, Mizo [lus]
- Chin, Mro-Khimi [cmr]
- Chin, Müün [mwq]
- Chin, Ngawn [cnw]
- Chin, Rawngtu [weu]
- Chin, Rungtu [rtc]
- Chin, Senthang [sez]
- Chin, Siyin [csy]
- Chin, Songlai [csj]
- Chin, Sumtu [csv]
- Chin, Tawr [tcp]
- Chin, Tedim [ctd]
- Chin, Thado [tcz]
- Chin, Thaiphum [cth]
- Chin, Zotung [czt]
- Chin, Zyphe [zyp]
- Chin, Zanniat language
- Chinese:
- Chinese, Mandarin [cmn]
- Danau [dnu]
- Danu [dnv]
- Drung [duu]
- Hmong Njua [hnj]
- Hpon [hpo]
- Intha [int]
- Jingpho [kac]
- Kadu [zkd]
- Kanan [zkn]
- Karen:
- Karen, Bwe [bwe]
- Karen, Geba [kvq]
- Karen, Geko [ghk]
- Karen, Mobwa [jkm]
- Karen, Paku [jkp]
- Karen, Pwo Eastern [kjp]
- Karen, Pwo Western [pwo]
- Karen, S’gaw [ksw]
- Kayah:
- Kayah, Eastern [eky]
- Kayah, Western [kyu]
- Kedah Malay [meo]
- Kayan [pdu]
- Kayaw [kvl]
- Khamti [kht]
- Khün [kkh]
- Lahta [kvt]
- Lahu [lhu]
- Lahu Shi [lhi]
- Lashi [lsi]
- Lhao Vo [mhx]
- Lisu [lis]
- Lü [khb]
- Manumanaw [kxf]
- Moken [mwt]
- Mon [mnw]
- Mru [mro]
- Naga:
- Naga, Akyaung Ari [nqy]
- Naga, Khiamniungan [kix]
- Naga, Koki [nxk]
- Naga, Konyak [nbe]
- Naga, Kyan-Karyaw [nqq]
- Naga, Lao [nlq]
- Naga, Leinong [lzn]
- Naga, Long Phuri [lpn]
- Naga, Makuri [jmn]
- Naga, Makyan [umn]
- Naga, Para [pzn]
- Naga, Ponyo-Gongwang [npg]
- Naga, Tangkhul [ntx]
- Naga, Tase [nst]
- Nusu [nuf]
- Palaung:
- Pali [pli]
- Pa’o [blk]
- Pyen [pyy]
- Rakhine [rki]
- Rawang [raw]
- Riang [ril]
- Samtao [stu]
- Shan [shn]
- Tai Laing [tjl]
- Tai Loi [tlq]
- Tai Nüa [tdd]
- Taman [tcl]
- Taungyo [tobacco]
- Tavoyan [tvn]
- Tibetan:
- Tibetan, Khams [khg]
- Wa:
- Wa, Parauk [prk]
- Wewaw [wea]
- Yinbaw [kvu]
- Yinchia [yin]
- Yintale [yin]
- Zaiwa [atb]
- Zayein [kxk]
- Zo [zom]
Thaungtha is similar with rabain
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Myanmar People & Races". Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2007. For example, the Shan speak a Tai–Kadai language, the Lahu speak a Tibeto-Burman language, the Khamu speak a Mon–Khmer language, and the Yao speak a Hmong–Mien language.
- ^ "2014 Population Census: The problematic of 135 ethnic groups categorization". Shan Herald. 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b Gamanii (25 September 2012). "135: Counting Races in Burma". Shan Herald. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ "PoneYate ethnic population dashboard".
- ^ Jap, Jangai; Courtin, Constant (22 November 2022). Deciphering Myanmar's Ethnic Landscape: A Brief Historical and Ethnic Description of Myanmar's Administrative Units. International IDEA. p. 18. ISBN 978-91-7671-577-2.
- ^ "Composition of the Different Ethnic Groups". Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ethnologue". Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2006.
- ^ The source of this list is the 9 captions from an unscientific Italian book, therefore Italian spelling. I Ghekhù : tribu criana della Birmania orientale. Paolo Manna. 1902. Milano.
- ^ Mullins, Jeremy; Aye, Mon Mon (30 March 2014). "Panthay Muslims protect their name". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ Tracing an Indian Diaspora: Contexts, Memories, Representations – Google Books
- ^ http://www.ethnologue.com/country/MM/languages Archived 5 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Ethnologue: Myanmar
External links
[edit]- List of ethnic groups in Myanmar – Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism
- Ethnologue page for Burma languages
- Minorities in Burma and Burma: Time for Change by Minority Rights Group International
Books
[edit]- U Min Naing, National Ethnic Groups of Myanmar (Trans. by Hpone Thant).
Yangon: Thein Myint Win Press, 2000.
- "National Races of Myanmar" (1960) by the Ministry of Culture
- Anu
- Anun
- Asho
- Bre (Ka-Yaw)
- Cumtu
- Dai (Yindu)
- Dim
- Eik-swair
- Gunte (Lyente)
- Guite
- Hualngo
- Kaung Saing Chin
- Kaungso
- Kebar
- Khawno
- Kwangli (Sim)
- Kwelshin
- Kwe Myi
- Lai (Haka Chin)
- Laizao
- Lawhtu
- Laymyo
- Lhinbu
- Lyente
- Magun
- Malin
- Marma
- Matu
- Meithei (Kathe)
- Mgan
- Mi-er
- Lusayy
- Mro-Khimi people
- Naga
- Ngawn
- Oo-Pu
- Panun
- Rongtu
- Saing Zan
- Saline
- Senthang
- Tangkhul
- Tapong
- Tay-Zan
- Thado
- Tiddim (Hai-Dim)
- Torr (Tawr)
- Yin Gog
- Zahau
- Zahnyet (Zanniat)
- Sizang
- Zophei
- Zotung
- Zou
(Arakanese) (7)