De'ang

De'ang
A Palaung tribal woman near Kalaw, Shan State, Myanmar.
Total population
557,000 (est.)
Regions with significant populations
Myanmar, smaller populations in China: Yunnan, Thailand
Language(s)
Palaung
Religion(s)
Theravada Buddhism

The De'ang (Chinese: 德昂族; pinyin: Déáng Zú; also spelt Deang, Palaung and Benglong) people are an ethnic group. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. They also live in Myanmar (formerly Burma), where they are recognised by the government as an ethnic minority within the Shan national race, as well as in Thailand. They speak a Mon-Khmer language also called Palaung or "Ta-ang".

History

In 1949, those living in China received the name of Benglong and in 1985 were given present name of De'ang, at the request of the members of this ethnic group.

Culture

Most of the houses of the De'ang are of bamboo, with wooden structures. The doors of the houses are always opened towards the east. Each family has its own house which are usually two stories in height. The first floor is used as a barn and stable, while the second floor serves as living quarters.

The women dress differently depending on the area they reside in. Normally they dress in short jackets, black or white in color, decorated with velvet tassels of different colors. Skirts, with drawings in red targets are more commonly worn than trousers. The men dress in blue or white short jackets with wide, long trousers. They cover their heads with white or black handkerchiefs. In some towns the men have tattoos on their body that represent tigers, birds or flowers.

Religion

Most De'ang are adherents of Buddhism and Buddhist temples can be found in most of their towns. Buddhism is present in all of the daily activities of this ethnic group. As of age of 10, many children are sent to the monasteries. Most of them return to lay life years later.

Further reading

• Palaung Women's Organisation. (2006). Poisoned flowers: the impacts of spiralling drug addiction on Palaung women in Burma. Tak, Maesot, Thailand: Palaung Women's Organisation.
• Ashley, S. (2006). Exorcising with Buddha palaung Buddhism in northern Thailand. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. ISBN 0494033096
• Howard, M. C., & Wattana Wattanapun. (2001). The Palaung in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Silkworm Books. ISBN 9748832511
• Cameron, A. A. (1912). Notes on the Palaung of the Kodaung Hill tracts of Mong Mit State. Rangoon: Govt. Printer.

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