138 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. (March, 1913. 
tion which is carried on to an intense degree, the villages being 
removed to the lower slopes of the bounding ridges that none 
of the available paddy land may be lost. Seen from the sum- 
mits of the hills around, this well-watered valley seems rich 
enough, but as a matter of fact the appearance is deceptive, 
for the soil is poor and the crops suffer accordingly. The rice 
grown is not sufficient for the needs of the population, and as 
a consequence large numbers of the inhabitants emigrate year 
by year to neighbouring States, and across the frontier into the 
towns and the villages of Upper Burma and the Northern Shan 
States, where they are well known as the blacksmiths and car- 
penters who travel over the country in the cold weather seek- 
ing for employment. Such conditions are also aggravated by 
Chinese immigration, for the State has a high altitude and a 
mild and healthy climate, so that the ubiquitous Ytmnnanese 
highlander can live and prosper therein. As a general rule the 
elevation of the Shan States in Yiinnan is low enough, and the 
climate bad enough, to prevent wholesale Chinese settling, and 
the Shans are left mainly to themselves for the greater part of 
the year. The A-ch’angs have been referred to as gipsies, 
nomads, born wanderers, and great travellers; it is hoped that 
the explanation given here will end these fallacious descriptions, 
for such peoples never leave the boundaries of their own special 
territories ‘‘en masse,’’ except under the unalterable influence 
of some very strong external pressure. 
The Chinese element of the population is powerful and is 
tending to become more so every day. Chinese-Shans are also 
found in the valley, whilst the hills around are peopled by 
Chingpaw and a few Lisu and Palaungs. 
From the days of the eatly writers on the tribes of Burma 
until the present time, the origin and relationships of the 
A-ch ang have puzzled the scientific observer. John Anderson 
in 1871 gave the first connected account of the tribe, but he 
was so uncertain about its affinities that he hesitated to speak 
with any degree of confidence.! A smiliar spirit of uncertainty 
pervades all literature, thus Morgan Webb has this year stated 
that it is ‘‘highly questionable,” and a “matter of much 
hesitation,’’ to classify the A-ch’angs with the Marus, Lashis 
nie i who are of undoubted and identical Tibeto-Burman 
An A-ch’ang when questioned at first calls himself a Shan. 
This is due to the fervour of the proselyte, and also to the 
natural desire on the part of the smaller tribal clans in the law- 
less frontier regions, to ally themselves with some more powe!- 
ful faction for safety’s sake. The Shan himself does not hesi- 
A ee 
of Ree bo P- 100. (Numerals in brackets refer to works quoted at end 
? (2), pp. 201 and 263. 
