Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0010 Pictures From History » CPA0004737

Thailand: A caravan of oxen belonging to Shan farmers climb the mountains of northern Thailand, late-19th century.

Thailand: A caravan of oxen belonging to Shan farmers climb the mountains of northern Thailand, late-19th century.

The Shan, or 'Tai Yai' (Great Thai) are a prominent ethnic group in northern Burma and northwestern Thailand. Linguistically very similar to the Siamese, who were known as the 'Tai Noi' (Small Tai), the Shan migrated to the region through Laos from Yunnan in China over at least the past 1,000 years. The Shan have inhabited the mountainous Shan Plateau of Myanmar since as far back as the 10th century CE.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: