22/06/2026
THE THIRTY-THREE FEDERATED SHAN STATES
(ALSO CALLED SEING MONG TAI)
(from Sao Noan Oo's book "Unravelling the History of Tai Yai)
The Federated Shan States as I used to know.
After the destruction of Nanchao, the Tai/Shan Mongs were suzerain to the Kings of Mong Mao Kingdom until 1668. During the early period of Tai history there were initially 10 Tai Mongs in the present Burma, Mong Gong, Mong Yang and Baan Maw, in the Kachin State, and Hsenwi, Hsipaw, Mong Mit, Mong Nai, Yawnghwe, Kengtung, and Mong Pai on the Shan Plateau. The number of Mongs changed drastically when the Shan States became tributary to the Burmese kings. Some of the larger Mongs like Mong Nai and Yawnghwe were divided into smaller Mongs and given Burmese names, and the rulers appointed by the Burmese kings were called Myosa and Ngwegunmu. (status lower than Sao Hpa).
During the British rule, the number of mongs were altered again. In 1922, there were 40 Sao Hpas, Myosa and Ngwegunmu in both Northern and Southern Shan States. By 1947 there were 33 states.
In 1962, the Burmese dictatorial army staged a coup and the Shan States was further carved out and certain areas, called self-administered zones, directly under Napyidaw were given different ethnic groups, thereby destroying the peace and harmony that existed when all the groups used to live together side by side. This division of area of each group has created conflict between the different groups.
