Mindat, Chin State

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Mindat
မင်းတပ်
Town
Myanmar location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Mindat
Location in Chin State, Myanmar (Burma)
Coordinates: 21°22′N93°59′E / 21.367°N 93.983°E / 21.367; 93.983
CountryFlag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Division Flag of Chin State.svg  Chin State
District Mindat District
Township Mindat Township
Population
 (2014)
  Town46,008 [1]
   Urban
10,932
   Metro
35,076
Time zone UTC+6.30 (MST)
Climate Cwa

Mindat is located at south of the Chin State. Mindat (Burmese : မင်းတပ်မြို့; MLCTS : mang: tap mrui., pronounced [mɪ́ɰ̃daʔmjo̰] ) is a town in the Chin State of Western Myanmar.It is the administration seat of Mindat Township and Mindat District. The people speak the Kʼchò language.

Contents

History

In 2021, the town was the site of the battle of Mindat during the Myanmar civil war (2021–present). [2]

People

The people living in Mindat are called K'Cho, which is made up of three tribes; Mün/Müün, Daai, and Kaang. The K'Cho people are known for their rare tradition of females having their face tattooed. However, this tradition is no longer practice since the mid 1900s and face tattoo can only be seen on elderly women. Beginning in the early 21st century, many of the K'Cho people have migrated to many different parts of the world including United States, Australia, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Malaysia, and many others.

Based on a translated conversation with a group of elderly women with tattooed faces (2016):

Climate

Mindat has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa). Temperatures are warm for most of the year, but the winter months (November–February) are cooler. There is a winter dry season (December–May) and a summer wet season (June–November).

Climate data for Mindat, elevation 1,395 m (4,577 ft), (1991–2020)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)26.7
(80.1)
32.2
(90.0)
34.9
(94.8)
35.7
(96.3)
37.0
(98.6)
33.6
(92.5)
31.0
(87.8)
29.9
(85.8)
29.7
(85.5)
28.8
(83.8)
28.1
(82.6)
26.5
(79.7)
37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)21.2
(70.2)
24.9
(76.8)
28.6
(83.5)
30.5
(86.9)
28.4
(83.1)
25.7
(78.3)
25.5
(77.9)
24.9
(76.8)
24.5
(76.1)
23.9
(75.0)
22.3
(72.1)
20.4
(68.7)
24.8
(76.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)15.4
(59.7)
18.6
(65.5)
22.2
(72.0)
24.1
(75.4)
23.2
(73.8)
22.0
(71.6)
21.6
(70.9)
21.2
(70.2)
20.6
(69.1)
19.7
(67.5)
17.4
(63.3)
14.9
(58.8)
20.1
(68.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)9.6
(49.3)
12.3
(54.1)
15.8
(60.4)
17.7
(63.9)
18.1
(64.6)
18.3
(64.9)
17.8
(64.0)
17.5
(63.5)
16.7
(62.1)
15.4
(59.7)
12.4
(54.3)
9.4
(48.9)
15.1
(59.2)
Record low °C (°F)2.4
(36.3)
4.9
(40.8)
7.5
(45.5)
9.6
(49.3)
10.7
(51.3)
12.2
(54.0)
11.8
(53.2)
12.2
(54.0)
10.7
(51.3)
8.0
(46.4)
5.1
(41.2)
3.2
(37.8)
2.4
(36.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)7.7
(0.30)
4.2
(0.17)
13.8
(0.54)
29.6
(1.17)
173.4
(6.83)
203.4
(8.01)
197.2
(7.76)
290.5
(11.44)
341.0
(13.43)
228.4
(8.99)
43.8
(1.72)
9.7
(0.38)
1,542.7
(60.74)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)0.80.61.44.713.118.018.421.420.715.14.61.4120.2
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization [3]
Source 2: Norwegian Meteorological Institute (extremes) [4]

Geography

The main part of the town runs along the ridge of a mountain. The paved road runs from Pakokku to Matupi.

Transport

Bus

There is a bus station with direct buses to Pakokku or Matupi. These run mainly in the morning. The Pakokku bus route is approximately 4.5 hours and the Matupi bus route is approximately 5 hours.

Walking trails

Before the road was built and regular bus service began, students walked from Mindat to the advanced schools in Pakokku. The route was by walking trail and took 2 to 3 days.

Religion

Religion in Mindat (2014) [5]

  Christianity (52.3%)
  Buddhism (47.05%)
  Atheist (0.65%)

There are various religions in the town. Missionaries walk or motorbike to outlying villages to convert people.

Catholic

There is a Catholic church, which maintains a nursery school and living quarters for the elderly.

Buddhism

There are three Buddhist monasteries; one in the Western Quarter, another in Sanpya Quarter and the last one in Eastern Quarter.

Notable residents

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References

  1. Census Report. The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census. Vol. 2. Naypyitaw: Ministry of Immigration and Population. May 2015.
  2. Strangio, Sebastian (17 May 2021). "Myanmar Seizes Western Town After Heated Battle with Civilian Militia". The Diplomat.
  3. "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  4. "Myanmar Climate Report" (PDF). Norwegian Meteorological Institute. pp. 23–36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  5. Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population MYANMAR (July 2016). The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census Census Report Volume 2-C. Department of Population Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population MYANMAR. pp. 12–15.