Burma / Myanmar: A Karen liquor still, c.1892-96.

The Karen or Kayin people (Pwa Ka Nyaw Poe or Kanyaw in Sgaw Karen and Ploan in Poe Karen; Kariang or Yang in Thai), are a Sino-Tibetan language speaking ethnic group which resides primarily in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar).

The Karen make up approximately 7 percent of the total Burmese population of approximately 50 million people. A large number of Karen also reside in Thailand, mostly on the Thai-Burmese border.

The Karen are often confused with the Red Karen (or Karenni). One subgroup of the Karenni, the Padaung tribe from the border region of Burma and Thailand, are best known for the neck rings worn by the women of this group of people.

Karen legends refer to a 'river of running sand' which ancestors reputedly crossed. Many Karen think this refers to the Gobi Desert, although they have lived in Burma for centuries.

The Karen constitute the biggest ethnic population in Burma after the Bamars and Shans.

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