Kachin People - Subgroups

Subgroups

The main subgroup is the Jingpo, 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 structures. 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).