Ngawn Inn in Nam Kham township was one of the last villages to abserve the Shan New Year which fell on 7 December. The festival at this 100 household community on 18 December was joined by Shans  far and near.

One of the disting wished features of the event was the ceremony in honor of King Hso Khanfa (1311-1364), whose coming to the fabulous Mao throne will be 700 years next year.

“They also had children 5-7 years old competing in singing traditional songs, performing traditional martial arts and beating drums,” said a visitor. “This is something that deserves emulation by other Shan communities.”

Hso Khanfa, whom legends say was brought up by a white tiger, conquered lands as far as Dali in the east, Assam in the West and Chiangmai and Martaban in the south during his 53 year reign. Chinese records, calling him SoKoFa, say he was also a skilful diplomat who took advantage of the Mongol rule that had divided China to consolidate his power.