13 Contextual Understanding of Myanmar 2.3 ETHNIC GROUPS Myanmar is culturally diverse and home to over 100 ethnic groups (Seekins 2010, Beech 2009, Ekeh and Smith 2007). Most of these groups have been in Burma since the end of the first millennium C.E.10 Retaining their ethnic identities and speaking many languages, groups have largely remained in the areas to which they originally migrated. Some of the major ethnic groups inhabiting Myanmar are: Burman (Bamars) : The largest group by far is the Burman, sometimes referred to as the Bamar ethnic group, who comprise 68% of the population (IRIN 2012). Originating in the Himalayas more than 1,000 years ago, their language is from the Tibeto-Burman family. Con centrated largely in the Irrawaddy River Valley and along the coastal strips, the Burman are overwhelmingly Theravada Buddhists. Shan: The Shan, Burma’s largest minority ethnic group comprising 9% of the population, are found in Burma’s Shan State. Their native tongue is a tonal language from the Tai language group. Most Shan are lowland-dwelling rice farmers and livestock breeders. Many are traders traveling from village to village peddling goods, much of which has been illegally imported from neighbouring countries. Karen: The Karen are the second-largest minority group mainly settled in the Irrawaddy River Valley. Chin: The Chin constitute 2.5% of the population. They live in Chin State in the sparsely populated Western Mountains of northern Burma. Mon: The Mon, comprising about 2% of Burma’s population, are located in Southern Burma in Mon state. 2.4 RELIGION Almost 90% of Burmese are Buddhists, a majority of whom follow the Hinayana (also known as Theravada form of Buddhism). According to Theravada, it is up to each individual to seek salvation and achieve nirvana. Between ages of ten and sixteen, most young Burmese men and some young women become Buddhist novices and go to live in a monastery. While most young men remain at the monastery for only a short period time before returning to the secular life, some become fully ordained monks. Monks are a common site throughout the nation. Shrines and pagodas dot the landscape, and most people clasp their hands and bow their heads when passing one. Novitiation ceremony at Shwedagon Pagoda