THE TAI KHAMYANGS - S.F. Hanny : Notes on the Shans or Tai Nation, 1847-48.
This tribe or clan of the Shans (Shyams) now in Assam, were settled in
the days of Mueang kong and Ahom independence at Nongyang, a point in
the Loe Patkai mountains, which marks the ancient boundary between Assam
and Mueang kong and from whence the waters of the Nongyang rise, and
pass to the East into Hukawng, and those of the Namrup, to the North,
into Assam. The tribe originally consisting of two villages
(about 100 houses) appear to have had charge of the dewar or pass over
the Patkai and in the language of the Shans were called Maan Nam, and
Maan Nwe, respectively, in allusion to those who dwelt on the river
Nongyang, and those who dwelt higher up on the mountain.
The Khamyangs left their settlement on the Patkai about the beginning
of the present century in consequence of the inroads of the Singphos,
and settled in the Jorhat district where along with the Phake and Aitons
they were known as the Nara of Buchanan's time, which designation was
given by the people of Assam apparently to the Shans of Mueang kong. The
Khamyangs in consequence of their original designation of Maan Nam and
Maan Nwe, are called by the Assamese Pani Nora and Baum Nara.
The greater portion of this branch of the Shans are to this day settled in the vicinity of Jorhat, but a village of some size, also existed at Sadiya, previous to the outbreak of the Khamtis in 1839. As a Shan people they have mixed much with the Assamese and all know the language of the country, but they still retain the characteristics of their own nation in regard to religion, language and social habits.
In their productive industry as an agricultural people, they are superior to the Phake, or any of the Frontier inhabitants. However they do not excel in the art of weaving or dyeing, and manufacture but little beyond the clothes in use amongst themselves, coarse white cotton garments are more common with them than the coloured habiliments of the other Shans......
Shared by : C.K Tunkhang.
The greater portion of this branch of the Shans are to this day settled in the vicinity of Jorhat, but a village of some size, also existed at Sadiya, previous to the outbreak of the Khamtis in 1839. As a Shan people they have mixed much with the Assamese and all know the language of the country, but they still retain the characteristics of their own nation in regard to religion, language and social habits.
In their productive industry as an agricultural people, they are superior to the Phake, or any of the Frontier inhabitants. However they do not excel in the art of weaving or dyeing, and manufacture but little beyond the clothes in use amongst themselves, coarse white cotton garments are more common with them than the coloured habiliments of the other Shans......
Shared by : C.K Tunkhang.
No comments