Khamti people: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Ethnic group from Myanmar}}
{{Short description|Ethnic group of India, China and Myanmar}}
{{moresources|date=February 2020}}
{{Other uses|Hkamti (disambiguation){{!}}Hkamti}}
{{Other uses|Hkamti (disambiguation){{!}}Hkamti}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
|group=Khamti Shan
| group           = Tai Khamti
| native_name = တဲး ၵံးတီ, Tai Khamti
| native_name     = တဲး ၵံးတီ, {{lang|zh|康迪}}
| native_name_lang =  
| native_name_lang = kht
| flag_caption =  
| flag_caption     =  
|image= File:Tai Khampti diorama.JPG
| image           = File:Tai Khampti diorama.JPG
|caption=Diorama of Tai Khamti people in [[Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar]]
| caption         = Diorama and [[wax figures]] of Tai Khamti people in [[Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar]]
| population ={{circa}} 350,000
| population       = {{circa}} 30,000
| region1 = {{flag|Myanmar}}
| region1         = {{flag|India}}
| pop1 = ~200,000
| pop1             = 16,944
| region2 = {{flag|India}}
| region2         = {{flag|Myanmar}}
| pop2 = 140,310
| pop2             = 8,000
|langs=[[Khamti language|Khamti]], [[Burmese language|Burmese]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| region3          = {{flag|China}}
|rels=[[Theravada Buddhism]]
| pop3            = 5,000
|related=[[Thai people]], [[Lao people]], [[Shan people]], [[Dai people]]
| langs           = [[Khamti language|Khamti]], [[Burmese language|Burmese]]
| rels            = [[Theravada Buddhism]], [[Tai folk religion]]
| related          = {{ubl|Other [[Tai peoples]]}}
{{hlist|item_style=font-size:90%;
|([[Shan people|Shan]],  [[Thai people|Thai]], [[Lao people|Lao]], [[Dai people|Dai]], and [[Tai Nua people]]s)}}
}}
}}


The '''Tai Khamti''', ([[Khamti language|Khamti]]: တဲး ၵံးတီႈ, {{lang-my|ခန္တီးရှမ်းလူမျိုး}}, '''Hkamti Shan''', {{lang-as|খাম্পতি}}) or simply '''Khamti''' as they are also known, are a [[Tai peoples|Tai]] [[ethnic group]] native to the [[Hkamti Long]], [[Mogaung]] and [[Myitkyina]] regions of [[Kachin State]] as well as [[Hkamti District]] of [[Sagaing Division]] of [[Myanmar]]. In [[India]], they are found in [[Namsai district]] and [[Changlang district]] of [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. Smaller numbers are present in [[Lakhimpur district]], [[Dhemaji district]] and Munglang Khamti village in [[Tinsukia district]] of [[Assam]] and possibly in some parts of [[China]]. Khamtis have a population of 100,031 out of which 40,005 live in Arunachal Pradesh and 60,026 in Assam. However, in Myanmar their total population is estimated at 200,000 people.{{cn|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| order = st
| c = 康迪人
| p = Kāng dí rén
| my = ခန္တီးရှမ်းလူမျိုး
| tha = ชาวไทคำตี่
}}


The Tai Khamtis who inhabit the region around the Tengapani basin were descendants of migrants who came during the  century from the [[Hkamti long]] region, the mountainous valley of the [[Ayeyarwady River|Irrawaddy]].  
The '''Tai Khamti''' ([[Khamti language|Khamti]]: {{lang|kht|တဲး ၵံးတီႈ}}), also known as the '''Hkamti Shan''' ({{langx|my|ခန္တီးရှမ်းလူမျိုး}}; {{zh|c=康迪人}}; {{langx|aho|𑜄𑜩:𑜁𑜡𑜉𑜄𑜣; }} {{langx|th|ชาวไทคำตี่}}), or simply as '''Khamti''', are a [[Tai peoples|Tai]] [[ethnic group]] of India, Myanmar and China.


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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Atlas of the Languages and Ethnic Communities of South Asia|author=Roland J. L. Breton|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]|year=1997|isbn=0-8039-9367-6|page=188}}</ref> Their mother tongue is known as [[Khamti language]]. It is a [[Tai language]], closely related to [[Thai language|Thai]] and [[Lao language|Lao]].
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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Atlas of the Languages and Ethnic Communities of South Asia|author=Roland J. L. Breton|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]|year=1997|isbn=0-8039-9367-6|page=188}}</ref> Their mother tongue is known as [[Khamti language]]. It is a [[Tai language]], closely related to [[Thai language|Thai]] and [[Lao language|Lao]].
== Population ==
According to 2011 census of India, the Tai Khamtis have a population of 16,944.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ST-15: Scheduled tribe by mother tongue (for each tribe separately) (State/UT level), Arunachal Pradesh - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/12544 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=censusindia.gov.in}}</ref> In Myanmar, their total population is about 8,000 in 2009,<ref name="inglis2017">{{cite journal |last1=Inglis |first1=Douglas |title=Myanmar-based Khamti Shan Orthography |date=2017 |url=https://www.academia.edu/34791306| journal=Journal of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society}}</ref> although self reported village census estimates put it at 200,000 people.<ref>Iglis D (2007). Nominal Structure in Tai Khamti. [[Payap University]]. p. 1.</ref>
==Distribution ==
The Tai Khamtis who inhabit the region around the Tengapani basin of Arunachal Pradesh were descendants of migrants who came during the eighteenth century from the  Shan region of [[Hkamti Long]], in the western source of the [[Ayeyarwady River|Irrawaddy]] River Valley.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Edmonson |first=Jerold A. |chapter=SHAN AND OTHER NORTHERN TIER SOUTHEAST TAI LANGUAGES OF MYANMAR AND CHINA: THEMES AND VARIATIONS |title=The Tai-Kadai languages |editor1=Anthony V. N. Diller |editor2=Jerold A. Edmondson |editor3=Yongxian Luo |series=Routledge language family series |publisher=Routledge |date=2008 |pages=184-206 [191]}}</ref>
They are located in [[Hkamti Long]], [[Mogaung]] and [[Myitkyina]] regions of [[Kachin State]] as well as [[Hkamti District]] of [[Sagaing Division]] of [[Myanmar]]. In [[India]], they are found in [[Namsai district]] and [[Changlang district]] of [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. Smaller numbers are present in [[Lakhimpur district]], [[Dhemaji district]] and Munglang Khamti village in [[Tinsukia district]] of [[Assam]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morey |first=Stephen |chapter=The Tai Languages of Assam |title=The Tai-Kadai languages |editor1=Anthony V. N. Diller |editor2=Jerold A. Edmondson |editor3=Yongxian Luo |series=Routledge language family series |publisher=Routledge |date=2008 |pages=207-253 [209]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Great game east: India, China, and the struggle for Asia's most volatile frontier |last=Lintner |first=Bertil |date=2015 |location=New Haven |publisher=Yale University Press |pages=154-155}}</ref> and possibly in some parts of [[China]].


== Society ==
== Society ==
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=== Lifestyle and customs ===
=== Lifestyle and customs ===


The Tai-Khamti are very strong believers of [[Theravada Buddhism]]. Houses have a prayer room, and they pray every morning and evening by offerings flowers (nam taw yongli) and food (khao tang som). They are traditionally peaceful.
The Tai-Khamti are strong believers in [[Theravada Buddhism]]. Homes typically have a prayer room, where they pray every morning and evening, offering flowers (nam taw yongli) and food (khao tang som). The Tai-Khamti people are traditionally peaceful.


Houses of the Tai-Khampti are built on raised floors with thatched roofs. The roofs are constructed so low that the walls remain concealed. Wooden planks are used for flooring, and the walls are made of bamboo splices.
Their houses are built on raised floors with thatched roofs, constructed low enough so that the walls remain concealed. Wooden planks are used for flooring, while the walls are made from bamboo splices.


The Khamti are settled, agriculturists. They use a plough (thaie) drawn by a single animal, either an ox or a buffalo (or even an elephant in olden days).
The Khamti are settled agriculturists who use a plough (thaie) drawn by a single animal, such as an ox, buffalo, or even an elephant in ancient times.


The Khamti raise crops such as paddy rice (khow), mustard/sesame seeds (nga) and potato (man-kala). Their staple food is rice, usually supplemented by vegetables, meat and fish. They drink a beer made from rice (lau) as a beverage that is not served during festivals. Some of the well-known dishes are ''khao puk'' (made out of sticky rice and sesame seeds), ''khao lam'' (bamboo rice), ''paa sa'' (fresh river fish soup with special herbs), ''paa som'', and ''nam som'' among others. Beef is considered taboo.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hattaway|first=Paul|title=Peoples of the Buddhist world: a Christian prayer diary|publisher=William Carey Library|year=2004|pages=131|isbn=978-0-87808-361-9}}</ref>
The Khamti cultivate crops like paddy rice (khow), mustard/sesame seeds (nga), and potatoes (man-kala). Rice is their staple food, usually complemented by vegetables, meat, and fish. They also drink a beer made from rice (lau), though it is not served during festivals. Some well-known dishes include ''khao puk'' (sticky rice and sesame seeds), ''khao lam'' (bamboo rice), ''paa sa'' (fresh river fish soup with special herbs), ''paa som'', and ''nam som'', among others. Beef is considered taboo.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hattaway|first=Paul|title=Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Diary|publisher=William Carey Library|year=2004|pages=131|isbn=978-0-87808-361-9}}</ref>


They are the earliest people to have [[Indian tea culture|used tea]] in India. But there is no substantial documentation of the history of tea drinking in the Indian subcontinent for the pre-colonial period. One can only speculate that tea leaves were widely used in ancient India since the plant is native to some parts of India. The [[Jingpo_people#Singpho_people|Singpho tribe]] and the Khamti tribe, inhabitants of the regions where the ''[[Camellia sinensis]]'' plant grew native, have been consuming tea since the 12th century. It is also possible that tea may have been used under another name. Frederick R. Dannaway, in the essay "Tea As Soma",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/delawareteasociety/Home/tea-as-soma|title=Tea As Soma pt. 1 – Delaware Tea Society|website=sites.google.com}}</ref> argues that tea was perhaps better known as "[[Soma (drink)|Soma]]" in Indian mythology.
The Tai-Khamti are credited as the first people to have introduced tea drinking to India. However, there is no substantial documentation on the history of tea consumption in the Indian subcontinent before the colonial era. Tea leaves, native to some parts of India, may have been used since ancient times. The [[Jingpo people#Singpho people|Singpho]] and Khamti tribes, inhabiting regions where the ''[[Camellia sinensis]]'' plant grew naturally, have been consuming tea since the 12th century. It is possible that tea was known under a different name. Frederick R. Dannaway, in his essay "Tea As Soma,"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/delawareteasociety/Home/tea-as-soma|title=Tea As Soma pt. 1 – Delaware Tea Society|website=sites.google.com}}</ref> suggests that tea may have been referred to as "[[Soma (drink)|Soma]]" in Indian mythology.


=== Language and script ===
=== Language and script ===
Khamti is a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Myanmar and India by the Khamti people. It is a Daic language, specifically Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern, Northwest branch. The language seems to have originated around Mogoung in [[Upper Myanmar]]. It is closely related to Thai and Lao languages. Currently, there are about 200,000 Khamti speakers in Myanmar and 130,00 in the northeastern part of India (Arunachal Pradesh and Assam areas).{{cn|date=June 2020}} The name "Khamti" means "place of gold".


Three dialects of Khamti are known: North Burma Khamti, Assam Khamti, and Sinkaling Khamti. Speakers of Khamti are bilingual, largely in Assamese and Burmese.{{cn|date=June 2020}}
Khamti is a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Myanmar and India by the Khamti people. It is a Daic language, specifically belonging to the Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern, Northwest branch. The language likely originated around Mogoung in [[Upper Myanmar]] and is closely related to Thai and Lao. The name "Khamti" translates to "place of gold", from ''kham'' 'gold' and ''-ti'' 'place'.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Tai-Khamti Phonology and Vocabulary |first=Alfons |last=Weidert |date=1977 |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag |pages=44, 61}}</ref>


The Tai Khamtis have their own writing system called 'Lik-Tai', which closely resembles the Northern [[Shan script]] of Myanmar with some of the letters taking divergent shapes. Their script is evidently derived from the [[Lik Tho Ngok]] script since hundreds of years ago. There are 35 letters including 17 consonants and 14 vowels. The script is traditionally taught in monasteries on subjects like tripitaka, Jataka tales, code of conduct, doctrines and philosophy, history, law codes, astrology, and palmistry etc. The first printed book was published in 1960. In 1992 it was edited by the Tai Literature Committee, Chongkham. In 2003 it was again modified with tone marking by scholars of Northern Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh.{{cn|date=June 2020}}
There are three dialects of Khamti: North Burma Khamti, India Khamti, and Sinkaling Khamti. Khamti speakers are bilingual, often fluent in Assamese and Burmese.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
 
The Tai-Khamti people have their own writing system, called 'Lik-Tai', which closely resembles the Northern [[Shan script]] of Myanmar, though some characters differ. This script is derived from the [[Lik Tho Ngok]] script used for centuries. The script includes 35 letters, consisting of 17 consonants and 14 vowels. Traditionally, it is taught in monasteries, where subjects like the Tripitaka, Jataka tales, codes of conduct, doctrines and philosophy, history, law codes, astrology, and palmistry are studied. The first printed book in this script was published in 1960. It was revised in 1992 by the Tai Literature Committee in Chongkham, and further modified in 2003 with tone markings by scholars from Northern Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}


=== Dress ===
=== Dress ===
The traditional Khamti dress of men is a full-sleeved cotton shirt (siu pachai) and multi-coloured sarong (phanoi). The women's dress consists of a long sleeve shirt  (siu pasao), a deep-coloured long sarong (sinn) made from cotton or silk, and a coloured silk scarf (phamai). Married woman wear in plain black long wrap-around sarong (sinn) and above that a shorter green wrap-around cloth (langwat).<!-- no shirt? -->


Their jewelry consists of bright amber earrings, coral, beaded necklaces and gold ornaments. The Khamti men usually tattoo their bodies.
Traditional men's dress consists of a full-sleeved cotton shirt (siu pachai) and a multi-colored sarong (phanoi). Women's attire includes a long-sleeve shirt (siu pasao), a deep-colored long sarong ([[Sinh (clothing)|sinh]]) made from cotton or silk, and a colored silk scarf (phamai). Married women wear a plain black long wrap-around sarong (sinn) with a shorter green wrap-around cloth (langwat) worn over it.  


The Khamti tie their hair into a large knot, which is supported by a white turban (pha-ho). The chiefs wear a long coat made of silk. The hair is drawn up from the back and sides in one massive roll, measuring four to five inches in length. An embroidered band, the fringed and tasseled ends of which hang down behind, encircles the roll.
Jewelry includes bright amber earplugs, coral, beaded necklaces, silver hairpins, bangles, and gold ornaments. Khamti men traditionally tattoo their bodies.
 
The Khamti wear their hair in a large knot supported by a white turban (pha-ho). Chiefs wear long silk coats, and their hair is drawn up from the back and sides into a roll four to five inches in length. This roll is encircled with an embroidered band, the fringed and tasseled ends of which hang behind.


=== Arts ===
=== Arts ===


The Khamti are renowned for their craftsmanship. Their sword is known as pha-nap. Their priests are known to be amateur craftsmen, who use wood, bone or ivory to carve religious statues.
The Khamti are renowned for their craftsmanship. Their swords, known as pha-nap, are prized, and their priests are amateur craftsmen who carve religious statues from wood, bone, or ivory.


It is believed that by shaping ivory handles of weapons they will evince great skill. Their weapons include poisoned bamboo spikes (panjis), spear, bow and arrow, sword, and shield, usually made of rhinoceros or buffalo hide. The Khamti also have firearms which resemble old flint muskets and horse pistols. The sword is carried on the front of the body so that its hilt can be grasped in the right hand if needed.
The Khamti are skilled in shaping ivory handles for weapons, which are seen as a mark of great craftsmanship. Their weapons include poisoned bamboo spikes (panjis), spears, bows and arrows, swords, and shields, often made from rhinoceros or buffalo hide. They also possess firearms resembling old flint muskets and horse pistols. The sword is carried on the front of the body, so its hilt can be easily grasped with the right hand if needed.


=== Dance and drama ===
=== Dance and drama ===


The dance "Ka Poong Tai" is one of the main dramatic art forms of the Tai Khamtis. Unlike many forms of traditional Arunachali dance, the Khamti dance is a dance drama, reflecting the culture of the Khamti Buddhists.
The dance "Ka Poong Tai" is one of the main dramatic art forms of the Tai-Khamti. Unlike many traditional Arunachali dances, Khamti dance is a dramatic performance reflecting the culture of the Khamti people.


The traditional folk dances of the Tai Khamtis have their roots in [[Southeast Asian]] countries like [[Thailand]] and Myanmar. The community has many folk dances and each dance has a religious background. Some of the most widespread Tai Khamti dance dramas are:
Tai-Khamti folk dances have roots in [[Southeast Asian]] countries like [[Thailand]] and Myanmar. Many of their dances have religious themes. Some of the most prominent Tai-Khamti dances or dramas include:


* Peacock Dance: Kaa Kingnara Kingnari is a prominent dance among the Tai Khamti. It is a Buddhist belief in nature which depicts the slow and gracious dance of mythical half-human and half-peacock that existed in the Himalayas.
* Peacock Dance (Kaa Kingnara Kingnari): This dance depicts the graceful movements of a mythical half-human, half-peacock creature from the Himalayas, reflecting Buddhist beliefs in nature.
* CockFight Dance: Kaa Kong Tou Kai is a popular dance of Tai Khamti tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is performed by two or four people who wear a headgear shaped like the head of the cock, accompanied by the beats of drum (kongpat), cymbals (paiseng) and a set of gongs (mong-seeing). This dance usually shows a fight between two cocks and is inspired by the ancient tradition of entertaining the king with a cockfight.
* Cockfight Dance (Kaa Kong Tou Kai): Performed by two or four dancers wearing headgear shaped like a cock's head, this dance, accompanied by drumbeats (kongpat), cymbals (paiseng), and gongs (mong-seeing), mimics a cockfight, a tradition once used to entertain kings.
* Deer Dance: According to the legendary story, deer-dancing (kaa-toe) in the month of October (Nuen-Sip-Eit) is a celebration of the light festival based on the story of the spirits of the people and animals welcoming the return of Buddha after his preaching and thanksgiving to his mother and other spirits. This dancing of Ka-Toe is a Buddhist belief and religious in nature.
* Deer Dance (Kaa-Toe): Celebrated during the light festival in October (Nuen-Sip-Eit), this dance marks the return of the Buddha after preaching to his mother and other spirits. The dance, rooted in Buddhist beliefs, is a symbol of reverence.
* Demon Dance: The demon dance Kaa Phi Phai is another prominent dance and is performed on important social and religious occasions. The theme of this dance revolves around the attainment of the enlightenment by Buddha despite attempts of 'Mara', the king of evil spirits to disturb his deep meditation. Kaa Phi Phai symbolises the victory of the holy over the evil and marks the Buddha's attainment of 'Nirvana'.
* Demon Dance (Kaa Phi Phai): This dance portrays the victory of good over evil, with the Buddha achieving enlightenment despite the attempts of Mara, the king of evil spirits, to disturb his meditation. It symbolizes the Buddha’s attainment of Nirvana.


===Festivals===
=== Festivals ===


[[Sangken]] is the main festival of the Khamti. It is celebrated on 14 April. The Indian national colours are displayed at the Sangken festival where people irrespective of their tribe, caste, culture, race, etc., participate in the rituals.
The main festival of the Khamti is Sangken, celebrated on 14 April. During this festival, people of all tribes, castes, cultures, and races participate in rituals that involve splashing clean water, symbolizing peace and purity. Buddha images are taken for a ceremonial bath, and the procession is accompanied by drums, dances, and festivities. The celebration lasts for three days, during which locals prepare homemade sweets and exchange gifts.


The main attraction of the festival is splashing clean water, which is the symbol of peace and purity. The images of Buddha are taken out and after the ceremonial bath. The procession is accompanied by drums, dances, and enjoyment. This holy bath of is an auspicious event. The celebration takes place for three consecutive days. During the celebration, the locals make homemade sweet and distribute them. The exchange of gifts is a common trait of the festival.
In addition to Sangken, other festivals celebrated throughout the year include Poi-Pee-Mau (Tai Khampti New Year), Mai-Kasung-Phai, Khoa-Wa, and Poat-Wa.


There are festivals other than Sangken celebrated throughout the year. Some of the festivals are Poi-Pee-Mau (Tai Khampti New Year), Mai-Kasung-Phai, Khoa-Wa, Poat-Wa, etc.
==Notable people==
* Chao Khamoon Gohain, politician<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-11-05 |title=Chow Khamoon Gohain Namshum: Arunachal’s first MP and a pioneer |url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/11/05/chow-khamoon-gohain-namshum-arunachals-first-mp-and-a-pioneer/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=The Arunachal Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[C. C. Gohain]], politician
* [[Chow Tewa Mein]], politician
* [[Chau Zingnu Namchoom]], politician
* [[Chowna Mein]], Deputy Chief Minister of [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[Indrajit Namchoom]], footballer


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography:
* {{Cite book |last=Edmonson |first=Jerold A. |chapter=SHAN AND OTHER NORTHERN TIER SOUTHEAST TAI LANGUAGES OF MYANMAR AND CHINA: THEMES AND VARIATIONS |title=The Tai-Kadai languages |editor1=Anthony V. N. Diller |editor2=Jerold A. Edmondson |editor3=Yongxian Luo |series=Routledge language family series |publisher=Routledge |date=2008 |pages=184-206}}
* {{Cite book |last=Morey |first=Stephen |chapter=The Tai Languages of Assam |title=The Tai-Kadai languages |editor1=Anthony V. N. Diller |editor2=Jerold A. Edmondson |editor3=Yongxian Luo |series=Routledge language family series |publisher=Routledge |date=2008 |pages=207-253}}
==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=The Tai Khamtis |first=Lila |last=Gogoi |publisher=NEFA, Chowkhamoon Gohain (Namsoom) |date=1971}}
* {{cite journal |title=The Way of Life and Literature of the Tai Khamti of the Lohit Riverine in Arunachal Pradesh, India |first=Prakong |last=Nimmanhaeminda |journal=Journal of Thai-Tai Studies |volume=3 |issue=1 |publisher=Institute of Thai Studies, [[Chulalongkorn University]] |date=2007 |pages=7-22}}
* {{cite thesis |title=The Tai Khamtis Pradesh An Ethnographic Study |author=Hazarika Ranju Moni |publisher=Dibrugarh University |date=2017 |hdl=10603/293468 |type=Doctor of Philosophy |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/293468}}
* {{cite thesis |title=The Tai Khamtis of Arunachal Pradesh A Historical Study upto 1947 AD |last=Mantche |first=Chow Chandra |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Tribal University |location=Amarkantak |date=2019 |hdl=10603/310758 |type=Doctor of Philosophy |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/310758}}
;Folktale collections:
* {{cite book |title=Lengdon's Legacy: Tai Khamti Folktales From Arunachal Pradesh |editor=Tertia Sandhu |location=India |publisher=National Book Trust |date=2010 |isbn= 9788123757957}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
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[[Category:Ethnic groups in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in South Asia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in South Asia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in China]]

Latest revision as of 02:05, 25 February 2026


For other uses, see Hkamti.

Tai Khamti
တဲး ၵံးတီ, 康迪
Diorama and wax figures of Tai Khamti people in Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar
Total population
c. 30,000
Regions with significant populations
 India16,944
 Myanmar8,000
 China5,000
Languages
Khamti, Burmese
Religion
Theravada Buddhism, Tai folk religion
Related ethnic groups
Khamti people
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The Tai Khamti (Khamti: တဲး ၵံးတီႈ), also known as the Hkamti Shan (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; Chinese: 康迪人; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist. Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), or simply as Khamti, are a Tai ethnic group of India, Myanmar and China.

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.[1] Their mother tongue is known as Khamti language. It is a Tai language, closely related to Thai and Lao.

Population[edit | edit source]

According to 2011 census of India, the Tai Khamtis have a population of 16,944.[2] In Myanmar, their total population is about 8,000 in 2009,[3] although self reported village census estimates put it at 200,000 people.[4]

Distribution[edit | edit source]

The Tai Khamtis who inhabit the region around the Tengapani basin of Arunachal Pradesh were descendants of migrants who came during the eighteenth century from the Shan region of Hkamti Long, in the western source of the Irrawaddy River Valley.[5]

They are located in Hkamti Long, Mogaung and Myitkyina regions of Kachin State as well as Hkamti District of Sagaing Division of Myanmar. In India, they are found in Namsai district and Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Smaller numbers are present in Lakhimpur district, Dhemaji district and Munglang Khamti village in Tinsukia district of Assam[6][7] and possibly in some parts of China.

Society[edit | edit source]

The Khamti society is divided into classes, each signifying distinct status in the social hierarchy. The chiefs occupy the highest positions, followed by the priests, who wield considerable influence over all ranks. In the past, the slaves constituted the lowest rank.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Lifestyle and customs[edit | edit source]

The Tai-Khamti are strong believers in Theravada Buddhism. Homes typically have a prayer room, where they pray every morning and evening, offering flowers (nam taw yongli) and food (khao tang som). The Tai-Khamti people are traditionally peaceful.

Their houses are built on raised floors with thatched roofs, constructed low enough so that the walls remain concealed. Wooden planks are used for flooring, while the walls are made from bamboo splices.

The Khamti are settled agriculturists who use a plough (thaie) drawn by a single animal, such as an ox, buffalo, or even an elephant in ancient times.

The Khamti cultivate crops like paddy rice (khow), mustard/sesame seeds (nga), and potatoes (man-kala). Rice is their staple food, usually complemented by vegetables, meat, and fish. They also drink a beer made from rice (lau), though it is not served during festivals. Some well-known dishes include khao puk (sticky rice and sesame seeds), khao lam (bamboo rice), paa sa (fresh river fish soup with special herbs), paa som, and nam som, among others. Beef is considered taboo.[8]

The Tai-Khamti are credited as the first people to have introduced tea drinking to India. However, there is no substantial documentation on the history of tea consumption in the Indian subcontinent before the colonial era. Tea leaves, native to some parts of India, may have been used since ancient times. The Singpho and Khamti tribes, inhabiting regions where the Camellia sinensis plant grew naturally, have been consuming tea since the 12th century. It is possible that tea was known under a different name. Frederick R. Dannaway, in his essay "Tea As Soma,"[9] suggests that tea may have been referred to as "Soma" in Indian mythology.

Language and script[edit | edit source]

Khamti is a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Myanmar and India by the Khamti people. It is a Daic language, specifically belonging to the Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern, Northwest branch. The language likely originated around Mogoung in Upper Myanmar and is closely related to Thai and Lao. The name "Khamti" translates to "place of gold", from kham 'gold' and -ti 'place'.[10]

There are three dialects of Khamti: North Burma Khamti, India Khamti, and Sinkaling Khamti. Khamti speakers are bilingual, often fluent in Assamese and Burmese.[citation needed]

The Tai-Khamti people have their own writing system, called 'Lik-Tai', which closely resembles the Northern Shan script of Myanmar, though some characters differ. This script is derived from the Lik Tho Ngok script used for centuries. The script includes 35 letters, consisting of 17 consonants and 14 vowels. Traditionally, it is taught in monasteries, where subjects like the Tripitaka, Jataka tales, codes of conduct, doctrines and philosophy, history, law codes, astrology, and palmistry are studied. The first printed book in this script was published in 1960. It was revised in 1992 by the Tai Literature Committee in Chongkham, and further modified in 2003 with tone markings by scholars from Northern Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh.[citation needed]

Dress[edit | edit source]

Traditional men's dress consists of a full-sleeved cotton shirt (siu pachai) and a multi-colored sarong (phanoi). Women's attire includes a long-sleeve shirt (siu pasao), a deep-colored long sarong (sinh) made from cotton or silk, and a colored silk scarf (phamai). Married women wear a plain black long wrap-around sarong (sinn) with a shorter green wrap-around cloth (langwat) worn over it.

Jewelry includes bright amber earplugs, coral, beaded necklaces, silver hairpins, bangles, and gold ornaments. Khamti men traditionally tattoo their bodies.

The Khamti wear their hair in a large knot supported by a white turban (pha-ho). Chiefs wear long silk coats, and their hair is drawn up from the back and sides into a roll four to five inches in length. This roll is encircled with an embroidered band, the fringed and tasseled ends of which hang behind.

Arts[edit | edit source]

The Khamti are renowned for their craftsmanship. Their swords, known as pha-nap, are prized, and their priests are amateur craftsmen who carve religious statues from wood, bone, or ivory.

The Khamti are skilled in shaping ivory handles for weapons, which are seen as a mark of great craftsmanship. Their weapons include poisoned bamboo spikes (panjis), spears, bows and arrows, swords, and shields, often made from rhinoceros or buffalo hide. They also possess firearms resembling old flint muskets and horse pistols. The sword is carried on the front of the body, so its hilt can be easily grasped with the right hand if needed.

Dance and drama[edit | edit source]

The dance "Ka Poong Tai" is one of the main dramatic art forms of the Tai-Khamti. Unlike many traditional Arunachali dances, Khamti dance is a dramatic performance reflecting the culture of the Khamti people.

Tai-Khamti folk dances have roots in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Myanmar. Many of their dances have religious themes. Some of the most prominent Tai-Khamti dances or dramas include:

  • Peacock Dance (Kaa Kingnara Kingnari): This dance depicts the graceful movements of a mythical half-human, half-peacock creature from the Himalayas, reflecting Buddhist beliefs in nature.
  • Cockfight Dance (Kaa Kong Tou Kai): Performed by two or four dancers wearing headgear shaped like a cock's head, this dance, accompanied by drumbeats (kongpat), cymbals (paiseng), and gongs (mong-seeing), mimics a cockfight, a tradition once used to entertain kings.
  • Deer Dance (Kaa-Toe): Celebrated during the light festival in October (Nuen-Sip-Eit), this dance marks the return of the Buddha after preaching to his mother and other spirits. The dance, rooted in Buddhist beliefs, is a symbol of reverence.
  • Demon Dance (Kaa Phi Phai): This dance portrays the victory of good over evil, with the Buddha achieving enlightenment despite the attempts of Mara, the king of evil spirits, to disturb his meditation. It symbolizes the Buddha’s attainment of Nirvana.

Festivals[edit | edit source]

The main festival of the Khamti is Sangken, celebrated on 14 April. During this festival, people of all tribes, castes, cultures, and races participate in rituals that involve splashing clean water, symbolizing peace and purity. Buddha images are taken for a ceremonial bath, and the procession is accompanied by drums, dances, and festivities. The celebration lasts for three days, during which locals prepare homemade sweets and exchange gifts.

In addition to Sangken, other festivals celebrated throughout the year include Poi-Pee-Mau (Tai Khampti New Year), Mai-Kasung-Phai, Khoa-Wa, and Poat-Wa.

Notable people[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Roland J. L. Breton (1997). Atlas of the Languages and Ethnic Communities of South Asia. SAGE Publications. p. 188. ISBN 0-8039-9367-6.
  2. ↑ "ST-15: Scheduled tribe by mother tongue (for each tribe separately) (State/UT level), Arunachal Pradesh - 2011". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ↑ Inglis, Douglas (2017). "Myanmar-based Khamti Shan Orthography". Journal of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society.
  4. ↑ Iglis D (2007). Nominal Structure in Tai Khamti. Payap University. p. 1.
  5. ↑ Edmonson, Jerold A. (2008). "SHAN AND OTHER NORTHERN TIER SOUTHEAST TAI LANGUAGES OF MYANMAR AND CHINA: THEMES AND VARIATIONS". In Anthony V. N. Diller; Jerold A. Edmondson; Yongxian Luo (eds.). The Tai-Kadai languages. Routledge language family series. Routledge. pp. 184-206 [191].
  6. ↑ Morey, Stephen (2008). "The Tai Languages of Assam". In Anthony V. N. Diller; Jerold A. Edmondson; Yongxian Luo (eds.). The Tai-Kadai languages. Routledge language family series. Routledge. pp. 207-253 [209].
  7. ↑ Lintner, Bertil (2015). Great game east: India, China, and the struggle for Asia's most volatile frontier. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. 154–155.
  8. ↑ Hattaway, Paul (2004). Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer Diary. William Carey Library. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-87808-361-9.
  9. ↑ "Tea As Soma pt. 1 – Delaware Tea Society". sites.google.com.
  10. ↑ Weidert, Alfons (1977). Tai-Khamti Phonology and Vocabulary. Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 44, 61.
  11. ↑ "Chow Khamoon Gohain Namshum: Arunachal's first MP and a pioneer". The Arunachal Times. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
Bibliography
  • Edmonson, Jerold A. (2008). "SHAN AND OTHER NORTHERN TIER SOUTHEAST TAI LANGUAGES OF MYANMAR AND CHINA: THEMES AND VARIATIONS". In Anthony V. N. Diller; Jerold A. Edmondson; Yongxian Luo (eds.). The Tai-Kadai languages. Routledge language family series. Routledge. pp. 184–206.
  • Morey, Stephen (2008). "The Tai Languages of Assam". In Anthony V. N. Diller; Jerold A. Edmondson; Yongxian Luo (eds.). The Tai-Kadai languages. Routledge language family series. Routledge. pp. 207–253.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

Folktale collections
  • Tertia Sandhu, ed. (2010). Lengdon's Legacy: Tai Khamti Folktales From Arunachal Pradesh. India: National Book Trust. ISBN 9788123757957.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Ethnic groups in Burma

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