Karen people

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Karen, also known in Thailand as the Yang or Kariang, are an ethnic group in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. The Karen live mostly in the hilly eastern border region of Myanmar, primarily in Karen State, with some Karen in Kayah State and southern Shan State and in western Thailand. The total number of Karen is difficult to estimate; most estimates are of approximately 3 million Karen in Myanmar, with approximately 400,000 more in Thailand, where they are by far the largest of the hill tribes. Many of the Karen in Myanmar live in refugee camps near the Thai border. A low-level conflict between the Karen National Liberation Army and the military dictatorship in Yangon has existed for years. Many of the Karen accuse the government of ethnic cleansing. The Karen aided the British during World War II, when the Japanese occupied the region.

Related Topics:
Myanmar - Burma - Thailand - Karen State - Kayah State - Shan State - Hill tribe - Refugee camp - Karen National Liberation Army - Yangon - Ethnic cleansing - British - World War II - Japanese

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of the Karen sub-groups is the Padaung tribe.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~