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Originally Posted by Unclebob
Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?
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The Bama and Shan are two major ethnic groups in Burma. The Bama or Burman give their name to the former country of Burma (now Myanmar) and are the largest ethnic group in Burma. They are found mostly in the central and southern areas of the country. The Shan mostly occupy the Shan States in eastern and southern Burma (Myanmar). The Bama are ethnically Tibeto-Burman while the Shan are originally from northern areas in China and were driven south in the 13th C. The Shan are also found in northern Thailand, southern Yunnan and northern Laos.
The Bama and Shan were the main sword manufacturers in Burma.
Ian