Happy Poi-Pee-Mau-Tai 2119.....The New Year of all Tai people around the world.....

Tai Khamyang People and their identity

In the Kingdom of Moungmit in North Burma there was a place known as 'Khamyang'('Kham' means gold and 'yang' means having or posses). Hence the people those who lived in that place are known as Khamyang. According to the "Tai Khamyang Buranji" the Khamyangs came down from Moungmit (Moungkong) and was sent by king Saukhanpha in search of his brother Sukapha. The Tai Khamyang along with other Tai groups continued their advance in search of Sukapha who had already established himself as the ruler of Saumarpith. Ultimately the Khamyangs reached Saumarpith about 1235 A.D and warmly welcomed by Sukapha and returned back to Moungmit with messages and good wishes of Sukapha to his brother Saukanpha.

On their way back the Khamyangs were attracted by a serene and beautiful place situated in the foothill of Patkai Range. In due course of time the Khamyangs migrated to that place known as "Nong Khew Nuk Nong Jang (Nong-Lake, Khew-Blue, Nuk Nong Jang-Crane bird)", which is presently known as the'Lake of No Return'. In "Nong Khew Nuk Nong Jang" the Khamyangs had established two new Villages Man Nam(Man-Village, Nam-Paddy Field,) and Man Noi(Noi-Mountain) and lived there almost 300 years.

In Nong Khew Nuk Nong Jang valley the Khamyangs had to face constant attack/oppression from the Singphos which compelled them to leave for Soumarpith. After crossing the Patkai Range they reached Khamyang Na situated in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh and spent there almost 200 years.

The actual migration of large stream of Man Nam group of Tai Khamyangs took place to Naam Chum (Tenga Pani) and Moungteula (Sadiya) area in the period between 1780-1784. Man Noi group of Khamyang had to come to Assam as a result of the Khampti rebellion against the Ahom Kingdom.

The Man Nam group of Tai Khamyangs were brought to the Dholy (presently in Jorhat) area of Assam by Swargadeo Gaurinath Singha in 1798 and allowed to live freely without paying taxes. The Second Group of Khamyangs (Mannoi) left Sadiya and settled at Mankota in Dibrugarh District in 1922. With the passage of time the Khamyang lived in Dholy and Mankota area were also migrated to new places. Presently the Khamyangs are living in a few villages of Tinsukia (Pawoimukh Shyam gaon), Charaideo (Chalapothar, Desangpani, Moniting, Bongaon, Rohan Shyam Gaon), Golaghat district (Rajapukhuri Shyam gaon) and in town areas of Jorhat (Betbari, Balijan, Naa Shyam gaon), Titabor, Guwahati, Duliajan,and Sonari. Tai Khamyang people also reside in the Districts of Namsai & Lohit (Naa Naam Khamyang, 2 No Naa Naam Khamyang, Kaisu, Laathao, Deobil, Hofai, 1 No Jona, 4No Jona, Nongtao, Wingseng, Nongtao Khamyang), and Changlang (Bordumsa, Sumboi, Giding, Namleng, Dirak Pathar) of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Khamyang community belongs to great Tai race having close affinity with the Tai phakes, Tai Aitons, Tai Turungs, Tai Khamptis and Tai Ahoms of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Tai Khamyangs are also known as Khamjang and Shyam (Siam).

Originally the Tai Khamyangs had nine numbers of clans under the "Kaaw Hai" Administration system namely., Tunkhang, Wailong, Thoumoung, Chowhai, Chowlu, Chowlik, Pangyuk, Chowsong and Phalek. Later on Tai Khamyang community adopted some more clans viz., Mouke, Khenlong, Lung kee, Chow teu mung, Kumchai, Kamthong, Maloy, Mancche, Chowkhek, Chowkong, Ngyem, Ningkhee etc.

Chalapothar Buddhist Monastery and Cultural Centre

Address of Chalapother Buddhist Monastery & Cultural Centre: Chala Shyam Gaon, Mouza: Silakuti, P.O: Chalapother

District: Charaideo, Assam- 785688
Year of Establishment: 1901 (Temporary building)
Year of construction of present building of Chala Buddhist Monastery & Cultural Centre: 1993
Founder: Villagers of Chala Shyam Gaon
Worship : Gautam Buddha
Brief Description: Chalapother Buddhist Monastery & Cultural Centre is one of the oldest monasteries of Assam located in Chala Shyam Gaon. Chala Sham Gaon is a village inhabited by Tai Khamyang Community for 150 years. The village is situated at a distance of 14 K.m from Sonari, which is the district headquarter of Charaideo district. The Tai Khamyang people of Chala Shyam village are the follower of the Theravada sect of Buddhism and the Chala Buddhist Monastery is ordained to the Buddhist monks since the pre independence era. The splendid Chala Buddhist Monastery is built in Thai architect style. Its premise is also comprised of a cultural centre, a Pali Viddyalaya, a tourist lodge, a 73 years old library viz., Chala Jnanodaya Library having Buddhist religious text, books and manuscripts. Eminent Pali scholar Venerable Dr. Sasana Bangsha Mahathera is the chief monk of the monastery. Venerable Sasana Bangsha Mahathera has been conferred with Honoris Causa D. Lit degree by Dibrugarh University in the year 2014 for rendering contribution towards Pali literature as well as to the society .Chala Buddhist Monastery & Cultural Centre being centre of attraction of tourists of different part of the world is achieving tourist flow from countries like South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, China, USA, UK, Japan and many more. One wing of South Korean Buddhist philanthropic organization “Paramita Korea” is established in the monastery’s premises itself. Many religious and cultural festivals are celebrated and observed in the premises of the Chala Buddhist Monastery & Cultural Centre in different time of the year.