Kachin people
Encyclopedia
The Kachin people are a group of ethnic group
s who largely inhabit the Kachin Hills
in northern Burma's Kachin State
and neighbouring areas of China
and India
. More than half of the Kachin people identify themselves as Christians - while a significant minority follow Buddhism and some also adhere to animism. Kachin state is also known as the land of jades and gold.
, for whom the term Jinghpaw (Jingpo) and Kachin are considered synonymous. However, by Myanmar's official designation, the term Kachin includes a variety of different linguistic groups with overlapping territories and integrated social structure
s. These are notably the Rawang
, the Lisu, the Zaiwa, the Lashi/Lachik and the Lawngwaw as well as the majority Jingpo. Such definitions carefully distinguish Kachin and Shan (Tai) peoples though some Kachin people have defied the Western expectation of lineage-based ethnicity by culturally "becoming Shans" (Leach 1965).
, while traditional animist emblems and pursuits have been largely re-directed into folkloric events such as the annual Manao festival in Myitkyina
.
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
s who largely inhabit the Kachin Hills
Kachin Hills
The Kachin Hills are a heavily forested group of highlands in the extreme northeastern area of the Kachin State of Burma. It includes the Kumon Bum Mountains of which the highest peak is Bumhpa Bum with an elevation of .-Geography:...
in northern Burma's Kachin State
Kachin State
Kachin State , is the northernmost state of Burma. It is bordered by China to the north and east; Shan State to the south; and Sagaing Division and India to the west. It lies between north latitude 23° 27' and 28° 25' longitude 96° 0' and 98° 44'. The area of Kachin State is . The capital of the...
and neighbouring areas of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and 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...
. More than half of the Kachin people identify themselves as Christians - while a significant minority follow Buddhism and some also adhere to animism. Kachin state is also known as the land of jades and gold.
Subgroups
The main subgroup is the JingpoJingpo
The Jingpho people or Kachin people ) are an ethnic group who largely inhabit the Kachin Hills in northern Burma's Kachin State and neighbouring areas of China and India. The Jingpo form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China, where they numbered 132,143...
, for whom the term Jinghpaw (Jingpo) and Kachin are considered synonymous. However, by Myanmar's official designation, the term Kachin includes a variety of different linguistic groups with overlapping territories and integrated social structure
Social structure
Social structure is a term used in the social sciences to refer to patterned social arrangements in society that are both emergent from and determinant of the actions of the individuals. The usage of the term "social structure" has changed over time and may reflect the various levels of analysis...
s. These are notably the Rawang
Nung Rawang
The Rawang people are an ethnic group who inhabit far northern Kachin State of Burma and in Arunachal Pradesh in India. They speak and write in their own language, Rawang ; and have more than 70 tribes within their nation.Kachin legends variously record the Nung-Rawang were the first of six...
, the Lisu, the Zaiwa, the Lashi/Lachik and the Lawngwaw as well as the majority Jingpo. Such definitions carefully distinguish Kachin and Shan (Tai) peoples though some Kachin people have defied the Western expectation of lineage-based ethnicity by culturally "becoming Shans" (Leach 1965).
Behaviour and Traditions
The Kachin people are traditionally known for their fierce independence, disciplined fighting skills, complex clan inter-relations, craftsmanship, herbal healing and jungle survival skills. In recent decades, their animist beliefs have been largely supplanted by embrace of ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, while traditional animist emblems and pursuits have been largely re-directed into folkloric events such as the annual Manao festival in Myitkyina
Myitkyina
Myitkyina is the capital city of Kachin State in Myanmar , located from Yangon, and from Mandalay. In Burmese it means "near the big river", and in fact "Myitkyina" lies on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady River, just below from Myit-son of its two headstreams...
.