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Assamese Chinese

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Assamese Chinese
অসমীয়া চাইনিজ
The Zhong School, which was later converted into a Hindi school.
Total population
Approximately 2,000
Regions with significant populations
Makum, Assam, India
Languages
Assamese, Zhongyuong
Religion
Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism
Related ethnic groups
Han Chinese, Tibeto-Burman peoples

The Assamese Chinese, also known as the Zhongum people, are a small community of ethnic Chinese living in the town of Makum in Assam, India.[1][2] Today, they are scattered throughout Assam. This group is primarily composed of descendants of Chinese immigrants who migrated to Assam in two distinct phases. The first phase involved the Zhongum forming alliances with the Dimasa kingdom, leading to the establishment of the Ming branch, known as Benghuo. The second phase saw another group of Zhongum arriving in Assam in 1850 when the British brought them for tea cultivation; these people are known as Juwai.[3]

History[edit]

The history of the Assamese Chinese community can be divided into three distinct phases.[4] The first phase involved alliances with the Dimasa Kingdom,[5][6][7] where a group of Chinese people, identified as the Ming branch, established their presence in the region. Assam also had a longer historical connection with China, with Indian influence only being much recent.[8][9][10][11] The second phase began in 1850 when the British brought Chinese laborers to Assam specifically for tea cultivation.[12]

The Benghuos, having arrived earlier, often view the Juwai as non-natives due to their British-facilitated migration, leading to intergroup rivalry. Despite this, both groups have grown to accept each other following the Indian concentration debacle. Over time, Benghuos have also mixed significantly with the Dimasas. Originating from southwestern China, the Zhongum are of a distinct descent, with a language markedly different from Mandarin, indicating a unique cultural identity. The Benghuos historically referred to Assam as Feicu Wanguo, meaning "the kingdom of treasures." One can distinguish between Benghuo and Juwai individuals based on their surnames; titles such as Lui, Ming, Zhao, Qian, and Sun denote Benghuo heritage, while Yao, Gui, Ho, Wang, and Jiang are indicative of Juwai lineage. The Zhongum, who refer to their language as Zhong, proudly identify as Assamese people. [13]

During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Assamese Chinese faced systematic cleansing and cultural erosion.[14][15] Many were interned, forcibly relocated, and their properties were confiscated. A notable example of this cultural suppression is the conversion of the Zhong School, a prominent Chinese school in Makum, into a Hindi school by force.[16][17]

Culture[edit]

The Assamese Chinese have retained many aspects of their Chinese heritage while also adopting elements of Assamese culture.[18] They celebrate traditional Chinese festivals such as the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, while also participating in local Assamese festivities, like Bihu. Today many call themselves simply Assamese and identify with the Assamese culture.[19][20]

Religion[edit]

The religious practices of the Assamese Chinese are diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Christianity however still remains the predominant religion.[21]

See also[edit]

  • Zhong

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Assamese Chinese story". The Hindu. 2012-11-17. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  2. ^ "Dream visit to homeland, 50 years after displacement". The Hindu. 2013-10-21. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  3. ^ Desk, Sentinel Digital (2022-04-15). "Did You Know About The Left-Out Chinese Community In Assam's Makum". Sentinel Assam. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  4. ^ "Assam - Ethnic Groups, Tea Plantations, Biodiversity | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  5. ^ shravancharitymission (2021-01-09). "chinese ming dynasty". Shravan charity mission. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  6. ^ "About the Dimasa Kingdom of Assam". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  7. ^ Gerini, G. E. (1913). "Ti-ma-sa". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland: 690–694. ISSN 0035-869X. JSTOR 25189042.
  8. ^ Sharma, Avinibesh (2013-10-29). "Assam In The Eyes Of Hieun Tsiang". Avinibesh Sharma. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  9. ^ Dutta, Dibyajyoti; Hazarika, Dibyanjoly (December 2023). "Beyond the Colonial Lens: An Investigation into the Chequered History of Assam Tea". Indian Historical Review. 50 (2): 322–343. doi:10.1177/03769836231211003. ISSN 0376-9836.
  10. ^ "Promoting silk industry in Assam hits to beat China – AG Group". Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  11. ^ "The Contours of Assam Insurgency". ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  12. ^ "A Tale of Divided Identity of the Indian Chinese in Rita Chowdhury's Chinatown Days – Drishti". www.drishtithesight.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  13. ^ "Di-ma-sa | Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi-lu". epress.nus.edu.sg. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  14. ^ "Done For A War Time: Tales Of Separation And Longing Of The Indian Chinese Community". Outlook India. 2022-12-30. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  15. ^ Saikia, Nayanika (2022-06-02). "A Forgotten History of Assam". Medium. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  16. ^ Pioneer, The. "Homecoming: Chinese to revisit birthplace in Assam". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  17. ^ Saikia, Papari (2023-04-03). "Alien at birth: Chinese migrants in post-colonial Assam (1947-1962)". Contemporary South Asia. 31 (2): 179–192. doi:10.1080/09584935.2023.2203900. ISSN 0958-4935.
  18. ^ "A lost trail : the Chinese community of Assam". thecriticalscript.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  19. ^ "Assamese of Chinese origin facing severe identity crisis". The Economic Times. 2015-05-17. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  20. ^ "India's Chinatown Is Home To Assamese Chinese - Community Brought From China As Tea Garden Workers". IndiaTimes. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  21. ^ "Minuscule Assamese Chinese community never misses chance to vote". The Times of India. 2019-04-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-06-18.


Further reading[edit]

  • Arnab Dey (2018). Tea Environments and Plantation Culture. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108425737.
  • "The Chinese community in Assam". The Hindu. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
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