Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is a big deal, though mourned for less time than in much of the West. To miss a fu-
neral is an unimaginable faux pas. If a heated argument goes too far, the ultimate
capper is to yell: 'Oh yeah? Don't come to my funeral when I die!'
Kachin
Like the Chin, the Kachin (1.4% of the population) are part of the Tibeto-Burman racial
group. Based mainly in Kachin State, they are divided into six ethnic sub-groups (Jing-
paw, Lawngwaw, Lashi, Zaiwa, Rawang, Lisu), among which the Jingpaw are the most
numerous. Also traditionally animist, the Kachin were heavily targeted by Christian mis-
sionaries during colonial times (about 36% of the population are Christian, mostly
Baptist and Catholic).
As much of Kachin State lies above the tropic of Cancer, the climate is more extreme
- stifling hot in the summer months and downright cold in the winter - and the Kachin
seem to have abandoned their traditional dress for Western clothes that can be easily
changed to suit the seasons.
About the only vestige of Kachin dress still commonly worn are men's
longyi
(sarong-
style lower garment) of indigo, green and deep-purple plaid. During festive occasions
Kachin women sport finely woven wool skirts decorated with zigzag or diamond pat-
terns, and dark blouses festooned with hammered silver medallions and tassels.
Following independence from Britain, Kachin relations with the Burmese-run govern-
ment were increasingly precarious. After the military coup in 1962, the Kachin
Independence Army (KIA) was formed under the Kachin Independence Organisation
(KIO). These two organisations effectively ran the state on an economy based on smug-
gling and narcotics until a ceasefire agreement was struck in 1994.
In July 2011 fighting with the Tatmadaw broke out in the state again; as of 2013, over
100,000 people have been displaced by the conflict and are currently living in refugee
camps.
Conservationist and author Alan Rabinowitz relates much about the local life in the
Kachin hills in his fascinating
Life in the Valley of Death.
Kayah
Also known as the Karenni or Red Karen, the Kayah are settled in the mountainous isola-
tion of Kayah State.
