Vol. IX, No. 3.) The A-ch’ ang (Maingtha) Tribe. 147 
[N.S.] 
than is often supposed when dealing with hybrid Indo-Chinese 
races. The introduction of the principles of Gautama, the 
influence of a literature, the growth of a priesthood, and the 
development of education would quickly tend to spread the 
speech and manners of the stronger tribe. In this respect the 
sacred book of the priest, and the trade route of the merchant, 
are every whit as potent as the conquest of the soldier, or the 
raid of the slaver. 
Before concluding this paper, I would again draw atten- 
tion to the necessity for a thorough and sympathetic study of 
the languages and customs of this interesting group of tribes, 
before they are finally submerged. In the words of Sir George 
Grierson, most of the dialects belonging to the Burmese group 
are all but unknown, and the same could be asserted with 
respect to the general ethnology of many of the tribes. 
n this paper I have attempted to show briefly :— 
(1) that, the language, appearance and dress of the A-ch’ang 
or Maingtha is sufficient to indicate their near relationship to 
the Maru, Zi, Lashi and Hpon tribes which form the Burmese 
section of the Tibeto-Burman group of languages ; 
(2) that, originally they had no connection with any branch 
out. Their absorption into the Shan race has been largely 
brought about by their conversion to Buddhism, as a result of 
the accident of geographical position ; 
(3) that, the Maru, Zi, Lashi, A-ch’ang and Hpon tribes, 
as they are now known, are stragglers or settlers from the 
main Burmese immigration down the N’mai Hka into the Irra- 
waddy plains. The first three tribes were headed off and 
eventually separated from the main stock by Chingpaw clans, 
by whom they have been largely assimilated. The latter two 
coming into contact with Shans suffered the same process, 
complicated in the case of the A-ch’ang by extensive Chinese 
immigration ; 
(4) that, in view of the rapid decay of the customs and 
language of these people, by their absorption into stronger 
races, and also of their great importance in settling the origin 
d early movements of the Burmese, further research is 
urgently called for at once. This should not only be linguis- 
tical, but anthropometrical and ethnological as well. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
(1) Anderson, J. ‘‘ A Report on the Expedition to Yunnan 
via Bhamo.’’ Calcutta, 1871. 
(2) Morgan Webb, C. ‘‘ Census of India,’’ 1911, Vol. IX, 
Burma, Part [. : 
(3) Rose, A., and Brown, J. Coggin. ‘“ Lisu (Yawyin) Tribes 
