The various Palaung tribes, also called Ta-Ang, are largely found in the northern part of the Shan plateau of Myanmar. They are related to the De-Ang people of China, and are famous for the tea they grow and the pickled tea (Letpet) they cure. Villages of the Silver Palaung subgroup can be found in the Keng Tung area, where women in traditional dress can be seen.

The rattan, bamboo and metal waist hoops are one of the main characteristics of the full-dress costume of Palaung woman.

British novelist, Cecil Champain Lowis, in his 1906 survey of Burma, wrote extensively regarding the Palaung of that day. He mentions that the Palaung are a peaceful and industrious people.

One Palaung legend traces their ancestry back to frogs. Another to the sun, and yet another has it that Thusandi, a dragon princess who emerged from the sea, laid three eggs and out of one came a child who became the patriarch of the Palaung people.