They are from the Palaung-Wa stock. They are mostly found around the southern Shan States. They are intermingled with the Pa-O's and the Danu who also live in the vicinity. They are all Buddhist and only a few thousands are left. Their dresses are similar to the Pa-O's.

The Danaws also have their own language. In olden days the women folks used to wear silver ornaments and hollow silver bracelets. One custom of the Danaws is that they do not borrow any money or wash their hair nor do any kind of planting on market days. In ancient times they eat together out of a big round bamboo platter.

Most of their household utensils are made of bamboo. Rice is also wrapped in bamboo leaves. Even Buddha images are woven out of split bamboo. The women weave bamboo containers in their spare time. Reasonably rich people will buy buffaloes with their money. In divorce cases a betel leaf is divided equally into two parts and each take a part. The main economy of the Danaws is agriculture. Some of the Danaws have never even been to Taunggyi. There is very little crime involving Danaws.