TODAY

Taing Lai (a) Shan Ni have been settling and living in and around the regions, Myik-kyinar, Bamoh, Moenhyne, Moekaung, Kathar, and Wintho which are plain in Kachin state of Upper Myanmar since bygone days. The record revealed that Khaing Hon which was called Moemeik Kingdom was founded before BC 992. So it was noticeable that since 3,000 years before Myanmar country couldn’t be designated. Shan Ni was settled in that region because of recording that expressed Moekaung and Moenhyne were the contem-porary Towns.
Though we can’t say precisely in what century and era Shan Ni came into being and settled there, it was known that Shan Ni population living in Myitkyinar has 47,737, in Moenyhne District 137,716, in Bamoh District 98,003, and Putao District 4,053, the total Shan Ni population residing in Kachin state are 287,509 respectively according to the popu-lation list made in 2012.
Taing Lai were lineage of Tai-Chinese Sub Family. The native place of Tai (Shan) was in the middle valley of Yansi River. They moved to the place where there was an abundance of food. Because of the explosion of population and scarcity of food they came flowing into this place, Myanmar country. But living long in Myanmar made them mingled with Myanmar blood, becoming Buddhists and also their culture was similar to that of Myanmar.
Shan Ni had their own significant literature dating back a long time. Alphabets were similar to Shan’s and Myanmar’s too. Nowaday, Shan Ni literature is being taught to Shan Ni children at towns and villages in order to preserve it.