Thado Chronicle

Dr. Khup Thang "Thado Chronicle"

đź“–

Author: Khup Thang
Year: 2016

đź“Ś Foreword:

In this book, the editors include:

  • Prof. Dr. Tin Maung Khyi (Mandalay) – Lead Editor
  • William Shaw – Contributing Editor
  • Prof. Dr. Naing Zaw – Historical Advisor

The publication was made possible by contributions and guidance from these experts, ensuring that the content aligns with historical and anthropological research.

🌍 Introduction: Thado People and Their Origins

The Thado people are known by various names across different regions. Some refer to them differently depending on local dialects or administrative naming systems. The name “Thado” itself may not be originally self-ascribed but was later adopted or recorded through colonial and state classification systems.

Currently, the Thado population is estimated at around 400,000, with approximately:

  • 350,000 in India (especially in northeastern states like Manipur and Mizoram)
  • 41,000 in Myanmar (mainly in the Sagaing Region and Chin State)

These numbers suggest a significant transnational ethnic presence. Historically, the Thado have migrated, settled, and integrated into regions throughout what is now India and Myanmar.

đź“ś Historical Context of Migration

Historical migration of Thado ancestors is traced back to ancient times—from the regions now known as India and Myanmar. Many migrated during the 1220–1700 CE period, spreading across hills and valleys, especially in:

  • Northern and western Myanmar
  • Manipur and Mizoram in India

By the time of Burmese royal chronicles, there were already mentions of people resembling the Thado in tribal records, though not always under that exact name.

🧬 Language and Cultural Identity

The Thado language belongs to the Kuki-Chin branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It has regional variants, and in some cases, dialects have been influenced by Burmese, Hindi, or other local languages.

The Thado people maintain rich traditions, including:

  • Oral histories
  • Traditional farming and subsistence practices
  • Ceremonial rites tied to animism and later Christianity
  • Clan-based social systems