Khamyang people

Last updated
Tai-Khamyang
Total population
c. 7000
Regions with significant populations
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
Languages
Khamyang, Assamese
Religion
Theravada Buddhism
Related ethnic groups

The Khamyang language, along with its close relatives, Khamti, Tai Phake, Turung, Tai Aiton and Shan, is classified with the Northwestern subgrouping of the Southwestern Tai languages in the Tai-Kadai language family. Khamyang as a language has an estimated 15 speakers, mostly elderly, remaining in Northeast India, across 8 villages. [2] The majority speak the Assamese language although many Khamyang (Tai) terms are still retained in their vocabulary. There are also few Tai Khamyang people in Arunachal Pradesh who speak the Tai Khamti language.

Various efforts are undergoing for the effective revival of Tai-Khamyang language by workshops, publishing souvenir, compiling textbooks, etc. [2]

History

The territory of Mong Mao in the heyday of the Si Kefa period Mong Mao-the detail map.svg
The territory of Mong Mao in the heyday of the Si Kefa period

The Tai-Khamyangs belong to an area called "Khamjang" which lies in the Kachin state of Myanmar. This small unit of Tai-Khamyang people migrated from "Möng Mao Lung dynasty" (A.d-764-A.d-1252) in present-day Yunan Province of China and settled near Kopdup river in Upper Myanmar. It is said that the regions of Upper Myanmar geographically have full of resources. The Kopdub river flows through this region and has plenty of golds in the form of sand. The Tai-Khamyangs resided for a long period in this area lying on the Kopdub river. So literally they were known by the name "Khamyang" (Kham- Gold & Yang- To have) or "the people having gold"

According to Ahom chronicles, prince Sukhapha and his followers were attacked by the Nagas at Khamjang on their way over Patkai. After his crossing over the Patkai, Khamyangs were driven away to take refuge in Assam under the oppressions of Siukhanpha. It is that early settlement of the section of Noras who was subsequently known by that name.

The Tai Khamyangs, in the Patkai, got divided into two groups namely the Maan Nam or Pani Nora (Low Land Nora) and Maan Loi or Dum Nora (Upper land Nora). This settlement lies near the great lake "The Lake Of No Return" (Nong Kheo Lok Yang). In the mid-eighteenth century, due to the criticism surrounding for the presence of a couple of Cobras in the lake and problems faced from the Kachins, the Tai-Khamyangs crossed over the Patkai hill and settled in a fertile valley of Arunachal Pradesh. It is said that they constructed a pagoda which is still present near the no return lake. In the later period, they maintained good relationships with the Tai-Khamtis and established villages in Tengapani area. During the rule of Ahom king Gaurinath Singha, they immigrants to Jorhat district of Assam. With regard to their earlier migration to Assam, it may be noted that some Noras had accompanied Swargadeo Sukhapha and later on their separate identities were merged with the name Khamyang. History bears testimony to the fact that in 1524 Swargadeo Chukungmong married the daughter of the Nora Raja and Nora Raja equally was honored with a Khamyang damsel. It is quite probable that some Noras might have accompanied the princess in 1576. Swargadeo Chukhamfa also married one Nora princess. The princess was accompanied by a Nora prince, a priest, and 1000 Nora people.

Culture

Festivals & Events

  • Poi-Sangken (Water Festival) used to be celebrated generally from 14th of April to 16th of April at all the Buddhist Monasteries across the places populated by Tai Khamyang community along with other communities. The Poi or festival is a spring festival of Tai Buddhist of the world. The word is originated from the Pali/Sanskrit word Sangkranti and this festival is observed by Tais (Thai) of Thailand and Myanmar simultaneously by following same Tai Buddhist calendar. The Poi Sanken festival starts on the day of and continues for three days. During the festival the statues of Lord Buddha are showered with clean and scented water. However on the closing day of this ceremony people start splashing water and mud on each other. The Tai peoples believe that throwing water at each other will wash away enmity and sin of the society.
  • Mai-Ko-Sum-Phai is another important festival observed by the Tai Khamyang community of Assam. It is observed on the full moon day of the Assamese month Magh (Maghi Purnima). This festival is observed by firing woods and significance of which is impermanence (Anitya-Dukha-Anatma). During the festival the Tai Khamyang people prepare traditional food and offer it to each other.
  • Buddha Purnima (Poi Puthi Kham) is observed on the fool moon day of the Assamese month Baisakh. The significance of this day is related to the three great events which are, birth, death and getting enlightenment of Buddha.
  • Barsha Bash (Nau waa saam luen / satang) / Monsoon Fast starts from full moon of 'Ahara' to the fool moon of 'Ahina'. During the festival Buddhist Monks (Bhante) and follower of Eight Precepts visit Monastery (Kyong) for prayer and undertake fast for three month. The starting day of Barsha Bash is Called Satang Khaw Wa and ending day is called Satang Akwa.
  • There are some other festivals like Poi Patesa (Kalpataru), Poi Lu Fra, Poi Kanta Sangha, Poi Lu Kyong and Poi Kathin Sivara etc.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam</span> State in northeastern India

Assam is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq mi). It is the second largest state in northeastern India by area and the largest in terms of population. The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur to the east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to the west via the Siliguri Corridor, a 22-kilometre-wide (14 mi) strip of land that connects the state to the rest of India. Assamese and Boro are the official languages of Assam. Meitei (Manipuri) is the official language of Hojai district and the entirety of the Barak Valley region, while Bengali is an official language in the three districts of Barak Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shan people</span> Southeast Asian ethnic group

The Shan people, also known as the Tai Long or Tai Yai, are a Tai ethnic group of Southeast Asia. The Shan are the biggest minority of Burma (Myanmar) and primarily live in the Shan State of this country, but also inhabit parts of Mandalay Region, Kachin State, Kayah State, Sagaing Region and Kayin State, and in adjacent regions of China, Laos, Assam and Meghalaya, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Though no reliable census has been taken in Burma since 1935, the Shan are estimated to number 4–6 million, with CIA Factbook giving an estimate of five million spread throughout Myanmar which is about 10% of the overall Burmese population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahom dynasty</span> Dynasty that ruled the Ahom kingdom in modern day Assam, India

The Ahom dynasty (1228–1826) ruled the Ahom Kingdom in present-day Assam, India for nearly 598 years. The dynasty was established by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao who came to Assam after crossing the Patkai mountains. The rule of this dynasty ended with the Burmese invasion of Assam and the subsequent annexation by the British East India Company following the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826.

The Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh has a total population of roughly 1.4 million on an area of 84,000 km2, amounting to a population density of about 17 pop./km2. The "indigenous groups" account for about two thirds of population, while immigrants, mostly of Bengali/Hindi belt origin, account for the remaining third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tangsa Naga</span>

The Tangshang people or Tangsa Naga, are of Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group of the Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. They also reside in Sagaing Region and parts of Kachin State of Myanmar. In Myanmar they were formerly known as Rangpang, Pangmi, and Haimi. They speak their own language Tangsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinsukia</span> Town in Assam, India

Tinsukia is an industrial town. It is situated 480 kilometres (298 mi) north-east of Guwahati and 84 kilometres (52 mi) away from the border with Arunachal Pradesh.Tinsukia serves as the headquarters of the Moran Autonomous Council, which is the governing council of the Morans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sivasagar district</span> District in Assam, India

Sivasagar district, formerly known as Sibsagar, is one of the 34 districts of Assam state in Northeast India. Sivasagar city is the administrative headquarters of this district. This historic place is also known for its rich biodiversity. The districts covers an area of 2668 square kilometers. The district comprises two sub-divisions – Sivasagar and Nazira. The district of Sivasagar lies between 26.45°N and 27.15°N latitudes and 94.25°E and 95.25°E longitudes. The district is bounded by the Brahmaputra River to the north, Nagaland to the south, the Charaideo district to the east and the Jhanji River to the west. The Sivasagar district has acquired its distinct identity due to the co-existence of different races, tribes, languages and cultures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khamti language</span> Kra–Dai language spoken in Myanmar and India

The Khamti language is a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Myanmar and India by the Khamti people. It is closely related to, and sometimes considered a dialect of, Shan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh</span> City in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Namsai is the headquarters of Namsai district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. This place is one of the 60 constituencies of Arunachal. Name of current MLA (August-2016) of Namsai constituency is Zingnu Namchoom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khamti people</span> Ethnic group of India, China and Myanmar

The Tai Khamti, also known as the Hkamti Shan or simply as Khamti, are a Tai ethnic group of India, China and Myanmar. The Tai-Khamti are followers of Theravada Buddhism. The Tai-Khamti have their own script for their language, known as 'Lik Tai', which originated from the Shan (Tai) script of Myanmar. Their mother tongue is known as Khamti language. It is a Tai language, closely related to Thai and Lao.

Khamyang is a critically endangered Tai language of India, spoken by the Khamyang people. Approximately fifty people speak the language; all reside in the village of Powaimukh, located seven miles downstream of Margherita in the Tinsukia district. It is closely related to the other Tai languages in the Assam region: Aiton, Khamti, Phake, and Turung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magh Bihu</span> Harvest festival in Assam, India

Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu or Maghar Domahi is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, North-East India, which marks the end of harvesting season in the month of Magh. A bonfire is lit for the ceremonial conclusion and prayer to the God of Fire. The festival is a regional variance of Makar Sankranti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Assam division</span> Division in Assam, India

Upper Assam is an administrative division of the state of Assam comprising the undivided Lakhimpur and Sivasagar districts, of the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra valley. The other divisions are: Lower Assam, North Assam and Hills and Barak Valley. The division is under the jurisdiction of a Commissioner, stationed at Jorhat.

Khamyang may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dehing Patkai National Park</span> National park in Assam, India

Dehing Patkai National Park is a national park in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam covering an area of 231.65 km2 (89.44 sq mi) of rainforest. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 13 June 2004. On 13 December 2020, the Government of Assam upgraded it into a national park. On 9 June 2021, the Forest Department of Assam officially notified it as a national park. It is located in the Dehing Patkai Landscape which is a dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforest. The rainforest stretches for more than 575 km2 (222 sq mi) in the districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo. The forest further spreads over in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Dehing Patkai National Park harbours the largest stretch of lowland rainforests in India. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant. Dehing-Patkai as a potential wildlife sanctuary was identified in late 1980s during a primate survey as "Upper Dehing Wildlife Sanctuary". Subsequently during a study on white-winged wood duck in early 1990s, it was discovered as a globally important site for this duck and recommended to be upgraded to "Upper Dehing National Park".

The Turungpeople or Tai Turung, are a numerically small Buddhist community in the northeastern Indian state of Assam. They speak their own Turung language.

The Tai Aiton are one among the six indigenous Tai communities of Assam. They are Animist and Buddhist by religion. They speak the Tai Aiton language, which is similar to other Tai languages spoken in Thailand. They have been recognized as Scheduled Tribes (Hills) and are listed as Man-Tai speaking people by the Government of Assam.

The Phake language or Tai Phake language is a Tai language spoken in the Buri Dihing Valley of Assam, India. It is closely related to the other Southwestern Tai languages in Assam: Aiton, Khamti, Khamyang, and Turung.

The Sangken festival is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam, India, as the traditional New Year's Day from 14 to 16 April by the Theravada Buddhist Communities. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars. The Sangken festival is celebrated by the Khamti, Singpho, Khamyang, Tangsa tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, and Tai Phake, Tai Aiton, and Tai Turung communities of Assam. Sangken generally falls in the month of 'Nuean Ha', the fifth month of the year of the Tai lunisolar calendar coinciding with the month of April. It is celebrated in the last days of the old year and the New Year begins on the day just after the end of the festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Pagoda, Namsai</span> Burmese style Buddhist temple in India

The Golden Pagoda of Namsai, also known as Kongmu Kham, in the Tai-Khamti language, is a Burmese-style Buddhist temple that was opened in 2010. It is located on a 20 hectares complex in Namsai District of Arunachal Pradesh, India and at a distance of 68 km (42 mi) from the nearest railway station Tinsukia, Assam. A sum of 3 crores was spent by Arunachal politician Chowna Mein, the local MLA in building the pagoda in a plot provided by the state government. The World Tripiṭaka Foundation is currently developing Kongmu Kham as the first international Tripiṭaka center in India.

References

  1. ↑ Sonowal, Ripunjoy; Barua, Indira (2011-04-01). "Ethnomedical Practices among the Tai-Khamyangs of Assam, India". Studies on Ethno-Medicine. 5 (1): 41–50. doi:10.1080/09735070.2011.11886390. ISSN   0973-5070. S2CID   80422538.
  2. 1 2 The Routledge handbook of language revitalization. Leanne Hinton, Leena Marjatta Huss, Gerald Roche (1st ed.). New York, NY. 2018. pp. 438–439. ISBN   978-1-317-20085-7. OCLC   1028799741.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
Khamyang people
Thai name
Thai ไทคำยัง
Major tribes
Scheduled tribes
(Recognised by government)
Other tribes
(Not recognised by government)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.