Thousands of Christians, some from as far as Muse and Namkham along the Sino-Burma border, had come to join the celebrations organized by the villagers of Wanmon just outside Mongyawng. A Shan couple, Noi Inn Zai and E-pieng, became its first converts in 1906, two years after thousands of Lahu in eastern Shan State became followers of the faith as preached by Reverand William Young of the Baptist Mission in Kengtung.

Not all of the 2,000 Christians in Mongyawng however are Baptists. About a third are said to be Roman Catholics, according to a missionary. The ruling prince of Kengtung, the biggest state in Federated Shan States (later renamed Shan State following independence in 1948) had welcomed all faiths, he said.

Christianity nevertheless is still frowned upon by the majority Buddhist Shans who think "only good-for-nothings, lepers and kon mee hper (people possessed by evil spirits) become Christians," according to a Christian participant.

Source: Shan Herald Agency for News