Burma / Myanmar: A Lahu Na or 'Black Lahu' couple in traditional costume sitting smoking with their dog.

A hand-drawn, hand-coloured watercolour from the late 19th century by an unknown Burmese artist.

The name of the ethnic group featured appears near the top of the picture in Shan script (left), Burmese script (Centre) and Khun script (right). Khun script was formerly used in Kengtung / Kyaingtong in eastern Shan State and in Lan Na or Lanna, northern Thailand.

The Lahu are an ethnic minority hilltribe that is indigenous to Thailand, Burma, Laos, Vietnam and China’s Yunnan Province with a total population estimated to be about 750,000. The Lahu divide themselves into a number of subgroups, such as the Lahu Na (Black Lahu), Lahu Nyi (Red Lahu), Lahu Hpu (White Lahu), Lahu Shi (Yellow Lahu) and the Lahu Shehleh. Where a subgroup name refers to a color, it refers to the traditional color of their dress.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

Burmese Peoples,