- Phake
Phake, also known as Phakial, is a Tai-speaking tribal group living in
Dibrugarh district andTinsukia district ofAssam , principally along the areas ofDihing river , as well as adjacent parts of Lohit andChanglang district s inArunachal Pradesh . [cite book|title=Papers on Tai Languages, Linguistics, and Literatures: In Honor of William J. Gedney on His 77th Birthday|author=William J. Gedney|publisher=Northern Illinois University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies|year=1992|pages=14|isbn=1877979163] As of 1990, their population stood at 5,000, which consists of less than 250 families.The Phake were believed to have migrated from Thailand in the latter part of 18th century and formed the backbone of
Ahom culture, which is being continued among the Phake even until modern times. The womenfolk wear an ankle-long skirt ('chin'), a blouse ('nang-wat') and a girdle ('chai-chin') to tighten the skirt around their waist.The Phake are bilingual in both Phake and Assamese. The Phake language is similar to those of Shan. Being followers of
Theravada Buddhism , they could also readPali . Animist influence can also be seen in their religious practices.References
External links
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=phk Ethnologue profile]
* [http://www.latestcinema.com/art-culture/tai-phakes-maintaining-legacy-of-once-mighty-ahoms.html Tai Phakes: maintaining legacy of once mighty Ahoms]
* [http://www.shopireland.ie/books/detail/8190037633/Phakials-&-other-minor-Thai/ Phakials & other minor Thai communities of Assam by: S. K Agnihotri]
* [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/rcilts/phakial.htm RCILTS, IIT Guwahati]
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