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They are from the Mon-Khmer stock. They used to live in Pathein, Mottama
and Hanthawaddy regions: so-called Ramanya Desa. They widspred in Thaton,
Bago, Mawlamyine, Zingyaik, Yaunghtaung, Bilugyun and Ye regions.
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Their dress in similar to the dresses of ancient Bamars. There are many
Jataka tales, folktales, riddles, songs, medical texts etc in the Mon language.
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There is a History of Mon-Myanmar epigraphy and a Collection of Mon Arts and
Letters. Stone inscriptions in the Mon language are of great historical
importance. At Zokethoke village there are bas-relief sculptures of
laterite. The Razadirit Revolution" is a notable manuscript.
The Kalayani Ordination Hall at Bago is a historical monument.
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Small brass gongs are arranged on a so-called half-moon shaped wood frame and
played as percussion instrument and the crocodile shaped stringed instrument
are typical of Mon musical instruments. The movements of a Mon dance are
smooth and dainty. The Mon dance has 12 basic movements, the same as the
Bamar dance movements. There were traditional Mon dance troupes in
earlier days. The Mons are also proficient in all kinds of martial arts.
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The Mon region is rich in agricultural produce and there are also many
industrialized regions.
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In ancient times the traditional custom of a suitor shoving his hand through a
hole in the flooring of a girl's house to ask for her love was widespread.
Hintha (Ruddy Shellduck) is the symbol of the Mon people.
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| Young Mon men are paraded around the
village on their way to the monastery at a collective initiation ceremony into
the monkhood |
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| A crocodile-harp shape water trough of
laterite at Zotethoke village. Laterite was used extensively by early Mon King
to construct pagoda. |
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| A maiden from Dawei |
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| A Mon maiden |
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