Hkamti

Hkamti (Khamti) by the Burmese and Khampti by the Assamese is a sub-group of the Shan people found in the Sagaing Division Hkamti District in north western Myanmar, as well as in India. As of 1990 their total population was estimated to be around 70,000, but it was recalculated that it actually stood at 13,100 in 2000, of which 4,235 live in Myanmar.

The Khamti are followers of Theravada Buddhism, but they do not abstain from meat. They used a variant of the Tai script, known as Lik-Tai, for the use of 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.

Arts

The Khamti are renowned for their craftsmanship. Their sword (known as dao) is well known by people from Assam. Their priests are also known to be skilled craftsmen, exhibiting their work on 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 arrows, sword and shields, usually made of rhinoceros or buffalo hide. The Khamti also have firearms which resembles 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.

Dress

The traditional Khamti dress of men consisted of a blue, tight-fitting jacket of cotton cloth. They also wear full sleeved cotton shirt (siu pajai) and the deep coloured lungi (phanoi). The women's dress consists of a half-sleeved blouse (siu pajao) a deep coloured skirt (siu) made from cotton or silk, and a coloured silk scarf. Their jewellery consist pieces of bright amber earrings and coral and bead necklaces. The Khamti men usually tattoo their bodies upon visiting their relatives in Myanmar.

The Khamti tie their hair into a large knot, which is supported by a white turban. The chiefs wear a Chinese coat made of silk. The Khamti women tie their hair in the "sky-scraper" style. The hair is drawn up from back and sides in one massive roll, measuring four to five inches in length. An embroidered band, of which the fringed and tasselled ends of which hangs down behind, encircles the roll.

Lifestyle and Customs

Houses of the Khamti 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. There are separate dormitories for the unmarried ladies and bachelors. Dormitories play an important role in the Khamti society.

The Khamti are settled agriculturists. Unlike other tribes, the use of the plough (Thai) is drawn by a single animal. The Khamti raise crops such as paddy (khapu), mustard (hanio) and potato (man kala). Their staple food is rice, usually supplemented by vegetables, meat and fish. They also drink rice-made beer (thou) as a beverage.