The Kachin reside in the northernmost region of Myanmar bordering India and Tibet , an area containing some of the highest mountains in South East Asia including Mt. Kakaborazi , Myanmar 's tallest peak.

The Kachin and all the sub-groups originally migrated from Yunnan province in south-west China and occupied the great tract of hill-country in northern Myanmar around the headwaters of the Chindwin and Ayeyawaddy Rivers . It is believed the Kachins were among the last of the Tibeto-Burman peoples to migrate into the country.

The Kachin are renowned for their weaving skills. A woven shoulder bag and a silver sword in a sheath are essential components of a typical Kachin man's dress while women decorate themselves with silverware that covers half of their torsos.

The Kachin have their own written language based on Roman alphabet. Most Kachin converted to Christianity during the last century, but spirit worship is still observed in some areas.

The Kachin celebrate a number of fetes and festivals but the Manao festival is the biggest and most important annual celebration in which all Kachin enthusiastically participate.

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