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The
Palang are very recent arrivals in
Thailand from Burma and they belong
to the Mon-Khmer branch of the
Austro-Asiatic linguistic family.
They have a unique culture, perhaps
distantly related to the Karen
ethnic group and like the Lua, they
may have originally been a lowland
peoples.
There
are at least six villages in the Doi
Ang Khang and Chiang Dao areas, but
in
general, the Palangs can be found in
Burma's eastern Shan state where
they have been living for several
centuries. At present the population
there is about 60.000.
The
Palang are easily recognizable by
the striking costumes of their
women, consisting of red sarong-like
garments, mostly a blue jacket with
red collar and broad silver
waistbands, together with plentiful
silver jewelry. Both women and men
like to have silver and gold in
their teeth.
Since
their arrival, the Palang have been
encouraged by the Thai government to
grow a wide range of fruit crops as
well as the traditional rice, corn
and beans. Back in Burma, their main
livelihood is the cultivation of
tanatep, a large leaf to wrap
Burmese cigars.
Living
in raised houses, families are
extended with married sons usually
living with the parents. Villages
have a headman, who usually comes
from the largest family, as well as
monks and a shaman for curing
sickness.
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