KHA-MI, the most important tribe in the .Arakan Hill tracts. The population of the district is estimated at 12,000, viz. :— Rakhaing called Shandu, Khyeng, Khyoung-tha, Anu or Khoung-tso, 2162 Sons of the River, 1219 Khyaw or Kuki, Kha-mior 7172 Mro, 2126 The Ralchaing or Khyoung-tha (Sons of the River) are of the Burmese stock, and speak a dialect akin to Arakanese. They have seven clans, all of whom live on the Kuladau. Some of the clans are said to be descended from the Mon of Pegu. They have rough paper books of palm leaf shape, and are Buddhists.
The Shandu language is monosyllabic ; they dwell north and north-east of the Blue Mountain, are polygamic. Their clans are always at war.
The Kha-mi or Khwe-myi are the chief tribe of the district. Their clans have each a toung meng or hill chief. Kha-mi means man. Their Burmese name, Kwe-rnyi, means dogtail, because their dress hangs down behind like a tail. They are wary and deceitful, but are inclined to trade.
The IIfro live on the Mi. Formerly they used to construct a nest in a high tree, to which they ascended by a bamboo ladder.
The Anu or Khoung-tso dress like the Kha-mi, but speak a distinct dialect.
The Khyeng inhabit the Yoma Hills east of the Le Mro river. Their language varies, but all acknowledge themselves of one tribe. They are shy, and averse to improvement. They tattoo their women.
• The Khyaw or Kuki inhabit a small village on the Tsala river, and are of the Kuki family.
The religion of the tribes is spirit (ka-nie) worship, with bloody sacrifices to the spirits of the hills and the rivers, at seed-time and Also, with the Kha - mi and Khyoung - tha, annually the hpalaw or spirits of the dead, when the dead-house is opened, and food and rice spirit (a-mu) are placed near the ashes of the departed. Raiding murderers, when caught red - handed, are beheaded, and their heads stuck up in the village. All other crimes are punished by fine. The intercourse before marriage is unrestricted ; after marriage divorce is easy.
The jum or toung-ya kind of cultivation is practised. They weave cotton blankets, etc.
An armed police force guards the frontier.