The Shan are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia, primarily living in Burma (Myanmar). It is believed that the Shan migrated from the mountains of China, and they have inhabited the Shan Plateau of Burma since the 13th century. The Shan Tai group is known for sophisticated and varied types of weaving. This shoulder cloth, a traditional component of dress, is made of finely woven silk, with colorful yet subdued stripes of red, beige, green, blue, and black with metallic gold and silver. The stripes are interspersed with diamond-motif embroidered bands of beige, green, blue, and metallic thread on black.