Language and script[edit]

See also: Mon language

The Mon language is part of the Monic group of the Mon–Khmer family, closely related to the Nyah
Kur language and more distantly related to Khmer. The writing system is based on Indic scripts. The
Burmans adapted the Mon script for Burmese following their conquest of Mon territory
during Anawrahta's reign.[citation needed]

Traditional culture[edit]

Mon girls in traditional folk costume

Mon culture and traditional heritages includes spiritual dances, musical instruments such as
the kyam or "crocodile xylophone", the saung harp and a flat stringed instrument. Mon dances are
usually played in a formal theater or sometimes in an informal district of any village. The dances are
followed by background music using a circular set of tuned drums and claps, crocodile xylophone,
gongs, flute, flat guitar, harp, etc. Mon in Burma wear clothes similar to the Bamars. Those living in
Thailand have adopted Thai style scarfs and skirts.
The symbol of the Mon people is the hongsa (Mon: ဟံသာ, [hɔŋsa]), a mythological water bird that is
often illustrated as a swan. The hongsa is the state symbol of Bago Region and Mon State, two
historical Mon strongholds. It is commonly known by its Burmese
name, hintha(Burmese: ဟင်္သာ, IPA: [hɪ́ɴθà]).

List of notable Mon (1900s–present)[edit]

 Kyaw Thet (1921–2008), historian
 Luangpho Ajahn Tala Uttama
 Mi Mi Khaing (1916–1990), Scholar
 Min Thu Wun, writer, father of President Htin Kyaw
 Min Ko Naing, whose parents are a mon couple from Mudon in Mon State.

See also