Khamyang People

Khamyang People

Khamyang, also known as Shyam, is a tribal group found primarily in TinsukiaPowai Mukh Village,Margherita,, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts of Assam as well as adjacent parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Their population totals about 3,500 of which only a small minority speak the native Tai Khamyang language. The Khamyang are followers of Theravada Buddhism and are closely related to the Khampti. They maintain good relations with other Tai Buddhist tribes of Assam.

The Khamyangs, who are popularly known as Noras, are of Tai-stock. "Khamyang" itself is a Tai word, deriving etymologically from "kham" (gold) and "yang" or "jang" (to have)"Kau means I","Khau means Rice", and meaning "people of gold". They ruled an independent principality in Mungkong until the end of the 18th century.

Many Khamyang have historically used "Shyam", which is a cognate with "Siam", the old word for Thailand, as a surname. The modern trend is for most Khamyang to use family names including Chowlik, Pangyok, Thaomung,Chowlu,Chawsong,Bailong, Tungkhang,Phalek, Chaohai.Tai Khamyang family is Nine to Assam Live...