Khamti
Encyclopedia
The Khamti, whose name is also spelled as Hkamti by the Burmese and Khampti by the Assamese, is a sub-group of the Shan people found in the Sagaing Division
, Hkamti District
in northwestern Burma as well as Lohit
district of Arunachal Pradesh
in India
. Smaller numbers can be found in parts of Assam
as well as the East Siang
district of Arunachal Pradesh
. As of 1990 their total population was estimated to be around 70,000, but in 2000 it was recalculated that it actually stood at 13,100, of which 4,235 live in Burma.
The Khamti who inhabit the region around the Tengapani basin were descendants of migrants who came during the 18th century from the Bor-Khampti region, the mountainous valley of the Irrawaddy
. The Khamti possess East Asian features.
The Tai-Khamti are followers of Theravada Buddhism. The Tai-Khampti adopted a script of Shan origin, known as Lik-Tai for their language.
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.
The Khamti are settled agriculturists. They use the plough (Thai) drawn by a single animal, either an oxen or a buffalo or even an elephant in olden days.
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 also drink a beer made from rice (low) as a beverage which is not served during festivals.Some of the well known dishes are KHAOPUK (made out of sticky rice and sesame seeds),KHAOLAM (bamboo rice),PAASA ( fresh river fish soup with special herbs), PAA-SOM , NAM-SOM...etc..
Their jewelry consists of bright amber earings,coral,beaded necklaces and love wearing gold ornaments. The Khamti men usually tattoo their bodies.
The Khamti tie their hair into a large knot, which is supported by a white turban (Fa-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.
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 frontal part of the body, so that its hilt can be grasped in the right hand if needed.
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 lord Buddha is an auspicious event in the festival. The celebration takes place for three consecutive days. During the celebration the locals make home made sweet and distribute them. The exchange of gifts is also a common trait of the festival.
There are festivals other than Sangken celebrated throughout the year calender. Some of the festivals are namely: POI-PEE-MAU, MAI-KASUNG-PHAI, KHAO-WA, POAT-WA, etc.
Sagaing Division
Sagaing Region is an administrative region of Burma , located in the north-western part of the country between latitude 21° 30' north and longitude 94° 97' east...
, Hkamti District
Hkamti District
Hkamti District or Khamti District is a district in northern Sagaing Division of Burma . Its administrative center is the town of Singkaling Hkamti....
in northwestern Burma as well as Lohit
Lohit district
Lohit is an administrative district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. The district headquarters are located at Tezu. As of 2011 it is the third most populous district of Arunachal Pradesh , after Papum Pare and Changlang.-Etymology:...
district of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Smaller numbers can be found in parts of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
as well as the East Siang
East Siang
East Siang is an administrative district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.-History:In 1989 territory was transferred from West Siang district to East Siang. A decade later, in 1999, the district was bifurcated to make Upper Siang district....
district of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
. As of 1990 their total population was estimated to be around 70,000, but in 2000 it was recalculated that it actually stood at 13,100, of which 4,235 live in Burma.
The Khamti who inhabit the region around the Tengapani basin were descendants of migrants who came during the 18th century from the Bor-Khampti region, the mountainous valley of the Irrawaddy
Ayeyarwady River
The Irrawaddy River or Ayeyarwady River is a river that flows from north to south through Burma . It is the country's largest river and most important commercial waterway. Originating from the confluence of the N'mai and Mali rivers, it flows relatively straight North-South before emptying through...
. The Khamti possess East Asian features.
The Tai-Khamti are followers of Theravada Buddhism. The Tai-Khampti adopted a script of Shan origin, known as Lik-Tai for their language.
Society
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.Lifestyle and customs
The Tai-Khamti are very strong believers of Theravada(Hinayana) Buddhism. Every house has a prayer room and they pray every morning and evening with the offerings flowers(nam taw yongli) and food(Khao tang som).They are peace loving people.They have their own tai script...(LIK-TAI).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.
The Khamti are settled agriculturists. They use the plough (Thai) drawn by a single animal, either an oxen or a buffalo or even an elephant in olden days.
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 also drink a beer made from rice (low) as a beverage which is not served during festivals.Some of the well known dishes are KHAOPUK (made out of sticky rice and sesame seeds),KHAOLAM (bamboo rice),PAASA ( fresh river fish soup with special herbs), PAA-SOM , NAM-SOM...etc..
Dress
The traditional Khamti dress of men wear a full sleeved cotton shirt (siu pachai) and multi coloured lungi (phanoi). The women's dresses consists of a blouse (siu pasao), a deep-coloured long skirt(sinn) made from cotton or silk, and a coloured silk scarf(famai).Their jewelry consists of bright amber earings,coral,beaded necklaces and love wearing gold ornaments. The Khamti men usually tattoo their bodies.
The Khamti tie their hair into a large knot, which is supported by a white turban (Fa-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.
Arts
The Khamti are renowned for their craftsmanship. Their sword (known as pha-nap). Their priests are also known to be amateur craftsmen, who use wood, bone or ivory to carve out religious statuesIt 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 frontal part of the body, so that its hilt can be grasped in the right hand if needed.
Festivals
Sangken is the main festival of Khamti. It is celebrated on 14 April, when the natives welcome the New Year with splendor and magnificence. You can check out the true colors of secular India at the Sangken festival where people irrespective of their tribe, caste, culture, race, sex, etc., participate in the rituals of the celebrations.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 lord Buddha is an auspicious event in the festival. The celebration takes place for three consecutive days. During the celebration the locals make home made sweet and distribute them. The exchange of gifts is also a common trait of the festival.
There are festivals other than Sangken celebrated throughout the year calender. Some of the festivals are namely: POI-PEE-MAU, MAI-KASUNG-PHAI, KHAO-WA, POAT-WA, etc.