Page:Provincial geographies of India (Volume 4).djvu/152

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136
THE PEOPLE
[ch.

served as military police and have done exceedingly well. In the War, they provided recruits for the Indian army, and it is hoped that before long at least one complete Kachin battalion may be raised.

Of a curious and until recently unknown tribe are the Nung or Khanung, neighbours of the Marus and resembling them in appearance but speaking a different language and more scantily clad. They are found only in the Putao district, inhabiting the mountains on both sides of the 'Nmaikha northward from about lat. 27°, and the mountains about the headwaters of the Malikha, north, east and west of the Hkamti Lōng valley. They have the same general characteristics as the other wild tribes of the north-eastern frontier, that is to say, they are dirty, dirtier even than the Marus, treacherous, and worship nats. But they differ from other tribes in being extremely shy and timid. They live in solitary huts and do not congregate in villages. Formerly they were oppressed by the Shans of Hkamti Lōng who captured them and kept them as slaves[1].

Talaings. Talaings, whose rise and fall have been recorded, have now dwindled to 320,000. They are not easily distinguishable from Burmans in appearance, dress, and manners. Many prominent persons among the official and educated classes are of Talaing origin. The Talaing language is still spoken; most commonly in parts of the Amherst district. Multitudes of interesting Talaing inscriptions are extant.

Palaungs. Palaungs, timid, peaceable folk, to the number of 144,000, are found principally in the Northern Shan States and in the Katha district.

Many strange tribes dwell in the hills and are seen at the Shan bazaars. Except in an ethnographic survey, it would be fruitless to catalogue their names; and space is wanting for a description of their peculiar manners and customs. But one remarkable tribe may be mentioned,

  1. W. A. Hertz.