The Tangsa, also known as the Tangshang Naga, are a prominent Naga tribe spanning both India and Myanmar (Burma). They are native to Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tinsukia District of Assam in northeastern India, extending across the border into Sagaing Region and parts of Kachin State in Myanmar. In Myanmar, the Tangshang were historically identified as Rangpang, Pangmi, and Heimi/Haimi.¹
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The Tangsa/Tangshang are estimated to be the largest Naga sub-tribe, with an approximate population of 450,000 individuals across India and Myanmar. Their language is recognized as Naga-Tase in The Ethnologue and Tase Naga in the ISO code (ISO639-3:nst). They are a scheduled group under the Indian Constitution, listed under 'other Naga tribes', and encompass numerous sub-groups on both sides of the international border.²
Background
Both the Tangshang in Myanmar and the Tangsa in India consider themselves part of the larger Naga tribal group. They are generally described as well-built and of medium stature. Today, Tangsa people primarily inhabit the Patkai mountains, which straddle the India-Myanmar border, while some have settled in the plains areas on the Indian side. Oral traditions among the Tangsa suggest migrations from what is now Mongolia, through the Southwest Chinese Province of Yunnan, and into Burma. Their traditions indicate that they settled in their current region as early as the 13th century. It is believed that in their native places in China and Burma, they were known as ‘Muwa’ and ‘Hawa’ respectively. The term ‘Hawa’ (also pronounced ‘Hewe’ or ‘Hiwi’) is often used by many Tangsa to refer to the entire group. The term "Tangsa" itself is derived from ‘Tang’ (high land) and ‘Sa’ (son), signifying **'people of the high land'.**³
Subgroups
The Tangsa are composed of numerous subgroups, each speaking distinctive linguistic varieties, some of which are very similar, while others are quite diverse. Each subtribe may have multiple names: the name the group uses for itself (e.g., Chamchang) and a 'general name' used when communicating with non-Tangsas (e.g., Kimsing for Chamchang).⁴
Approximately 70 different subtribes have been identified.⁵ Within India, the most recently arrived Tangsa groups are often referred to as Pangwa. The following is a partial list of these subgroups, with the self-given name first, followed by alternative spellings, and an indication of their geographical presence (M for Myanmar only, I for India only, B for both):⁶
Bote (Raqha, Bongtai) B
Cyamcyang-Shecyü (Chamchang, Kimsing, Sankey) B
Cyampang (Champhang, Thamphang) B
Cyolim (Cholim, Tonglum) B
Cyuyo (Chuyo, Wangku) M
Jöngi (Dunghi) B
Gaqha M
Gaqya (Gahja) I
Gaqkat (Wakka) B
Gaqchan (Gashan) M
Gaqlon (Galun, Lonyung) B
Kochung M
Kotlum (Kawlum) M
Gaqyi M
Haqcyeng B
Haqcyum M
Haqkhi (Hachi) M
Haqkhun B
Haqman M
Haqpo (Hatphaung, Apo) M
Hasa (Lulum as a village name, live close to Taka village) M
Haqsik (Awlay, Awlaw, Laju) M
Hokuq M
Havoi (Havi) I
Henching (Shangcheing, Shangchaing) M
Yoglei (Yogli, Yawklai) I
Kaisan M
Khalak or Khilak (Tangsa) B
Kumkaq M
Lakkai (Lati) B
Kuku (Makhawngnyon) M
Lama (Haqlang) B
Lochang (Lanching, Lanchien) B
Longchang I
Lungkhi (Lungkhi, Lungkhai) B
Lungri (Lungri) B
Lumnu M
Lungphi (Longphi) I
Meitei (Mitay) B
Miku M
Muklom (Moklum) I
Mossang (Tangsa) (Mawshang) B
Mungre (Mawrang, Morang) B
Nahen M
Ngaimong B
Nyinshao (Nyinshao) M
Nukte (Nocte) I
Pingku M
Ponthai I
Pongnyon (Macyam) M
Rancyi (Rangti, Ran-kyi, Rangsi, Rasi) M
Raqnu M
Rasa (Rasit) M
Rera (Ronrang) I
Ringkhu M
Sansik (Siknyo, Sheiknyo, Sikpo) M
Shangti (Shangri) B
Shangval (Shawvel, Shangwal) B
Shokra (Shograng) M
Toke (Tokay) M
Cyamkok (Thamkok) M
Tikhak I
Vancyo (Wancho) I
Yangnaw M
Asen (Yasa) M
Kon (Yawngkon) M
Yungkuk I
It's worth noting that Gaqkat people also live in India, specifically in the Wakka village circle of Tirap district, but are generally grouped with the Wancho tribe rather than with the Tangsa.⁷
Culture
The Tangsa's proximity to the Myanmar border has resulted in significant cultural influence from neighboring groups across the border, including the adoption of Burmese dress among many tribal members.⁸
Traditionally, both men and women of the Tangsa tribe kept long hair, which was tied into a bun and covered with a piece of cloth, known as Khu-pak or Khu-phop in some Tangsa varieties. Men traditionally wore a long, narrow piece of cloth called lamsam or lengti, which barely covered the hip and pelvis. However, contemporary Tangsa men often wear a broad, cylindrical green cloth called a lungi, lined with yellow, red, and white yarns, paired with a sleeveless shirt. The traditional costume for women consisted of a cloth wrapped around the chest and a similar piece wrapped around the waist, extending just below the knees. With greater availability of yarn today, their costume often includes an artistically woven petticoat as a lower garment and a linen blouse.⁹
Lifestyle
Traditionally, Tangsa people practiced shifting cultivation (known as Jhwum in Assamese). However, those Tangsa residing in the plains areas of India have now adopted wet rice cultivation. In their traditional agricultural methods, using simple manual tools, the Tangsa cultivate crops such as paddy, millet, maize, and arum, along with various vegetables. While milk and milk products were traditionally used sparingly, milk tea is now commonly served in many Tangsa homes. Traditional meals are diverse, but staple foods include boiled or steamed rice, vegetables boiled with herbs and spices (stew), and boiled or roasted fish or meat. Snacks include boiled or roasted arum or topioca. Traditional beverages include smoked tea (phalap) and rice beer (called ju, kham, or che).¹⁰
Due to the climate and terrain of their region, the Tangsa typically live in stilt houses, which are internally divided into multiple rooms. Similar to the Nocte tribe, the Tangsa traditionally maintained separate dormitories for men (Looppong in Longchang Tangsa) and for women (Likpya).¹¹
Traditionally, the Tangsa adhered to a joint family system, with property equally divided among all family members. A tribal council, known as Khaphua (Longchang) or Khaphong (Muklom), was administered by a Lungwang (chief), who oversaw the daily affairs of the Tangsa group.¹²
Religion
The Tangsa people today practice a variety of religions. Their traditional beliefs were animistic, an example of which is the Wihu Kuh festival, still observed in some parts of Assam on January 5th each year. This festival involves the sacrifice of chickens, pigs, or buffaloes, accompanied by prayers and songs offered to the female earth spirit, Wihu.¹³
Many Tangsa traditionally believe in a supreme being who created all existence, locally known as Rangkhothak, Rangwa, or Rangfrah, while also maintaining beliefs in other deities and spirits. Many followers of Rangfrah celebrate an annual festival called Mol or Kuh-a-Mol (around April/May), during which they pray for a bumper crop. Animal sacrifice, particularly of 'Wak' (pigs) and 'Maan' (cows), is practiced. Similar ceremonies and a feast hosted by the bereaved family are held at funerals, followed by rhythmic dancing by men and women after dusk, accompanied by drums and gongs.¹⁴
Some Tangsas, particularly the Tikhak and Yongkuk in India and many Donghi in Myanmar, have come under the influence of Theravada Buddhism and have converted. Buddhist temples are found in many Tikhak and Yongkuk villages.¹⁵
The majority of Tangsas, including most of the Pangwa Tangsas and nearly all of the Tangshang in Myanmar, have accepted Christianity. Probably the most widespread Christian denomination in both Myanmar and India is Baptist. The Tangsa Baptist Churches' Association, headquartered at Nongtham under Kharsang sub-division, is the largest Baptist association working among the Tangsas, with over 100 affiliated churches. There are also significant numbers of Presbyterians in India, and smaller numbers of Catholics, Church of Christ, and Congregationalists.¹⁶
According to the 2001 Census of India, out of 20,962 Tangsa (proper) living in Arunachal Pradesh:
6,228 (29.71%) identify as Animist.
5,030 (24.00%) are Hindu.
44% are Christian (approximately 9,223 individuals).
A minority of close to 3% are Buddhist (approximately 629 individuals).
An additional 8,576 Tangsa residing in Arunachal Pradesh belong to fringe Tangsa groups such as Mossang, Tikhak, and Longchang. Most of the Mossang, Rongrang, Morang, Yougli, Sanke, Longphi, Haisa, and Chamchang (Kimsing) tribes are predominantly Christian. Most of the Longchang and Langkai groups are Rangfrahites, while the Tikhaks are almost evenly divided between Christians and Buddhists. The Taisen group is largely Buddhist. The Moglum Tangsa are almost equally divided among Rangfrah followers, Animists, and Christians. The Namsang Tangsa are predominantly Animist (two-thirds), with the remaining one-third identifying as Hindu.¹⁷
Language
The ISO code for Tangsa speech varieties is ISO639-3:nst. The closest linguistic relatives to Tangsa are Tutsa and Nocte. These languages, along with several others, form the Konyak subgroup within a larger group sometimes referred to as Bodo-Konyak-Jinghpaw.¹⁸
Tangsa is not a single, monolithic language but rather a network of varieties, some of which are mutually intelligible, while others are not. For example, within the Pangwa group, Longri and Cholim (Tonglum) speakers can understand each other easily, but they may find it more difficult to understand and speak Lochhang (Langching).¹⁹
Linguistic differences exist between Tangsa groups, as illustrated by various lexemes (words). The words for ‘drinking water’, other types of ‘water’, and ‘alcohol’ can be used to distinguish three putative groups:
Tikhak Subgroup: This group (Tikhak and Yongkuk), found only in India, uses kham for both 'drinking water' and 'river water'. They migrated from Myanmar to India hundreds of years ago.
Pangwa Subgroup: This linguistically diverse set of varieties consists mostly of groups that arrived in India more recently, often having related villages in Myanmar (though some, like Joglei and Rera, are now found only in India). They use kham for drinking water but ju for river water.
Other Diverse Varieties: Several other diverse varieties use kham for alcohol and ju for drinking water. Moklum and Hakhun, while not mutually intelligible, share hierarchical agreement marking. Hakhun is very similar to Nocte, which is classified by ISO as a different language (ISO639-3:njb).²⁰
Online Archiving
Efforts are being made to digitally preserve Tangsa cultural and linguistic heritage. An online archive of Tangsa texts is available at the DoBeS website,²¹ and Tangsa texts can also be read and searched at the Tai and Tibeto-Burman Languages of Assam website.²² These digital resources contribute to the accessibility and preservation of the Tangsa language and its diverse varieties.
Notes
Stephen Morey, "Tangsa agreement markers," in North East Indian Linguistics II, ed. G. Hyslop, S. Morey, and M. Post (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press India, 2011), 76–103.
"Ethnologue: Languages of the World," SIL International, accessed July 20, 2025,
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/nst https://tribal.nic.in/content/scheduled-tribes Satya Dev Jha, Arunachal Pradesh, Rich Land and Poor People (Western Book Depot, 1986), 94.
Stephen Morey, "Tangsa agreement markers," 76–103.
Ibid.
Nathan Statezni and Ahkhi, "So near and yet so far: dialect variation and contact among the Tangshang Naga in Myanmar" (Presentation at NWAV Asia-Pacific I conference, Delhi, India, February 23–26, 2011); Mathew Thomas, "A Sociolinguistic Study of Linguistic Varieties in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh" (PhD diss., Centre for Advanced Study in Linguistics, Annamalai University, 2009).
Ibid.
Satya Dev Jha, Arunachal Pradesh, Rich Land and Poor People, 94.
"A trip to hidden paradise - Arunachal festival promises a journey to the unknown," The Telegraph, January 18, 2007, accessed July 20, 2025,
https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/a-trip-to-hidden-paradise-arunachal-festival-promises-a-journey-to-the-unknown/cid/1544675 Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
J. D. Baveja, New Horizons of North East (Western Book Depot, 1982), 68.
Ibid.
Shibani Roy and S. H. M. Rizvi, Tribal Customary Laws of North-east India (B.R. Pub. Corp., 1990), 34.
Bijan Mohanta, Administrative Development of Arunachal Pradesh, 1875-1975 (Uppal, 1984), 16.
Table ST-14, Census of India 2001. (Note: More recent census data would be ideal if available).
Robbins Burling, "The Tibeto-Burman Languages of Northeastern India," in The Sino-Tibetan Languages, ed. G. Thurgood and R. LaPolla (Routledge, 2003), 169–191.
Jamie Saul, The Naga of Burma (Orchid Press, 2005), 28.
Ibid.
DoBeS, Documentation of Endangered Languages, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, accessed July 20, 2025,
http://www.mpi.nl/DoBeS Tai and Tibeto-Burman Languages of Assam, SEAlang Library, accessed July 20, 2025,
http://sealang.net/Assam
