0679 MYANMAR (Kachin State) - Kachin girls on the bank of Mali River

The Kachin people (also known as Jingpho people) inhabit the Kachin Hills in northern Myanmar's Kachin State and neighbouring areas of China and India. They are actually an ethnic affinity of several tribal groups, known for their fierce independence, disciplined fighting skills, complex clan inter-relations, craftsmanship, herbal healing and jungle survival skills. In recent decades, their animist beliefs have been largely supplanted by their accelerated embrace of Christianity.

The Kachin ancestors migrated towards the south from the Tibetan plateau, and during the British colonial period, some tribes were integrated into the state, while others operated with a large autonomy. During WWII they provided assistance to British, Chinese and American units, but following the Burma’s independence they fought both for and against the government during most of the ethnic conflicts which have torn the country. In 1961 was formed the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) with its military wing, the Kachin Independent Army (KIA). In 1994 the KIO chose to enter into a ceasefire with the regime, but that delivered neither security nor prosperity to the Kachin, so in 2011 fighting has resumed.

Regarding the clothes, they differs slightly from place to place, but most commons is Bhamaw attire, worn by the people living on the eastern bank of the Mali River, which formes, after the meeting with N'Mai River, Ayeyarwady River. Women’s attire consists of multi-coloured woolen headdress and a black velvet jacket, decorated with three tiers of small button shaped silver coins and jingles go around the neck, at the front and go down along the front button line the waist besides the back to go with a woolen sarong embroidered. Similarly decorated pair of  leggings completes the attire. Since the sarong is not stitched, a belt of red cloth measuring about 1,5m above waist fastens the sarong in place, together with a black loose cane ring belt. Silver dominates also the women's jewelry, even though Kachin state is known as the land of jades and gold.

About the stamp

The stamp was issued on April 10, 2013, to commemorate 65 Years of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Russia.

This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday #170, hosted on Beth's blog The Best Hearts are Crunchy. Click on the button below to visit all the other participants.

References
Jingpo people - Wikipedia
Traditional Costumes in Kachin State - Technological University (Myitkyina) website


sender: Xu Wei (direct swap)
sent from Yangon (Yangon Region / Myanmar), on 04.2013
photo: Tin Win (Katha)