The Shan population survey team formed last year in Rangoon was warmly welcomed by the Shan community in Twante last week, according to a member of the delegation.

“A book on Twante Shan history, recorded by a Shan speaking monk, was presented to Dr Sai San Aik (aka Sai Hsang Ai), patron of the Shan Literary and Culture Society,” he reported.

Twante, called by Shans as Ton-Tee, is located 19 miles southwest of Rangoon.

Its famous son is General Naginda, who had erected a monument near the town’s Shwe Hsandaw pagoda to mark his victory over his opponents in the year 1564, during the reign of Bayinnaung (1551-1581).

The other famous Shan, more well known, is Twante Thein Tan, the singer who flourished in the 1960’s.

There are 4 Shan villages: Nyaung Taga, Mu Taman, Nga Khong Ma and Shanzu in the township, where the Shan traditions of building sand pagodas on New Year’s Day and Kard Zao (Pre-dawn market) are still observed.

“However only a few of the residents are registered as Shans in the official documents,” said the team member.

The official census is to be taken on 30 March-12 April. The event is to be launched in Naypyitaw on 1 March, according to Immigration and Population Minister U Khin Yi. Ethnic armed organizations that have concluded ceasefire agreements have been invited to attend it.