Kachin comprises 12 different ethnic groups.

The Jingpho (Jinghpaw) or Kachin people are an ethnic group who largely inhabit norther Myanmar (Kachin State). They also form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. They are closely realted to people in India called Singpho.

Two different categorization schemes complicate the terms Jingpho and Kachin (which operate as synonyms). In one, a variety of linguistic groups with overlapping territories and integrated social structures are described as a single people: the Kachin or Jingpho. In the other, linguistic categorization, the native speakers of each language in the area are treated as distinct ethnic groups. Both schemes treat the Shan people who live in the same or contiguous areas are ethnically distinct. Kachins have frequently defied the western expectation of lineage-based ethnicity by culturally "becoming Shans".

In British Colonial Burma, Jingpho or Kachins were categorized by the Census as separate "races" or "tribes" according to the language, including Kachin (Jingpho), Gauri, Maru, Lashi, Szi, Maingtha, Hpon, Nung and Lisu. Other officials, missionaries and the local administration recognized them as a single ethnic group. The early independence period Burmese government recognized Kachin as an overarching category. The current Myanmar government again views the Kachin as a "major national ethnic race" comprising the Kachin, Trone, Dalaung, Jinghpaw, Gauri, Hkahku, Duleng, Maru (Lawgore), Rawang, Lashi (La Chit), Atsi and Lisu as distinct ethnic groups.

History

Their ancestors lived in the Tibetan plateau and they migrated gradually toward the south. During the 15th & 16th centuries they continued migrating to being established in their present territory. They have received diverse names along the centuries: Echang, Zhexie and Yeren, the latter name which was used in China from the Yuan dynasty to the formation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

The Kachin people are an ethnic affinity of several tribal groups, known for their fierce independence, disciplined fighting skills, complex clan inter-realtions, embrace of Christianity, craftsmanship, herbal healing and jungle survival skills. Other residents of Kachin State include Shans (Thai/Lao related), Nagas and Burmans (Bamar), who form the largest ethnic group in Burma. During the British colonial period, some tribes were well integrated into the state while others operated with a large degree of autonomy. Kachins, including those organized as the Kachin Levies provided assistance to British and American units fighting the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

Following the end of World War II and Burma's independence from Britain, long standing ethnic conflicts between frontier peoples such as Kachins and the Burman dominated central government resurfaced. the first uprising occurred in 1949. The uprisings escalated following the declaration of Buddhism as a national religion in 1961. However, Kachins fought both for and against the government during most of the ethnic conflicts. Kachin soldiers once formed a core part of the Burmese armed forces and many stayed loyal after the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) with its military wing, the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) was formed in 1961. After Ne Win's coup in 1962, there were fewer opportunities in the Burma Army for Kachins. Much of Kachin State outside of the cities and larger towns was for many years KIO administered.

The KIO continued to fight when Ne Win's dictatorship was succeeded by another incarnation of the military junta in 1988 called State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). However, with a gradual withdrawal of Chinese support, in 1989 the Communist Party of Burma soon disintegrated into warlord led groups that negotiated ceasefire deals with the Junta. This led to the KIO being surrounded by organizations effectively aligned with the SPDC. It was squeezed by redeployment battalions of the re-armed and ever growing Burma army, and constantly urged to make peace by a civilian population suffering from years of warfare. In 1994 the KIO chose to enter into a ceasefire with the junta. the ceasefire delivered neither security nor prosperity to the Kachin.

Languages

The people classified as the Jingpho or Kachin in a broader sense speak at least nine different languages, Jingpho, proper, Tsaiva, Maru, Lashi, Szi, Achang (or Maingtha), Hpon, Nung and Lisu. Jingpho proper (also spelt Jinghpaw also called Kachin) is spoken by almost one million people in Myanmar and about 40,000 in China. Jingpho proper is also understood by many speakers of Tsaiwa. Tsaiwa is spoken by about 80,000 in China and about 30,00 people in Myanmar.

Religion

Although groups of Buddhists and Christians are found amongst them , the majority of the Jingpho are Animists. Some worship various gods as well as the spirits of their ancestors. They believe that the spirits reside everywhere, from the sun to the animals, and that these spirits bring good or bad luck. For the Jingpho, all living creatures are believed to have souls. Rituals are carred out for protection in almost all daily activities, from planting of crops to warfare.

Culture

Their dwellings are usually two stories and built out of wood and bamboo. the houses are of oval form; the first floor serves as a storage and stable while the second is utilized for living quarters. The women dress in black jackets decorated with silver decorations. they also wear wool skirts made in bright colours. The men also wear black and wide pants. They cover their heads with turbans: the youths with white turbans and the adults with black turbans.