The Khun People
A Long History
The Tai Khun people live mostly in eastern parts of Myanmar (once called Burma), with their early history linked to the Tai people of China’s Yangtze River in the first century AD.
Mostly In Myanmar
Today there are around 130,000 Tai Khun in Myanmar, a few thousand in Thailand, and a very small number in southern China and northern Laos. Some Khun communities in Thailand had their beginnings with people captured by Thai forces in conflicts of the early 19th century.
Buddhist Traditions
Most Tai Khun follow Theravada Buddhism combined with local practices of spirit worship and ancestor veneration.
Spirit Of The Land
The Tai Khun traditionally want to keep the spirit of the land on their side, and so they offer food and beverages at the community spirit house every day.
Remembering The Ancestors
And on the full moon in June, family members honor their ancestors by leaving offerings of food and flowers on their household altar.
