1868.] TJ,e mil-triles of the Northern Frontier of Assam. 195 



^ The language of the Aka, however, tells a tale, and so does their na- 

 tional character. Their language contains more words which can be 

 traced to the valleys south of the Patkoi range, joining the Shan and 

 Munipuri countries, than words indicating a closer affinity with the 

 Dafla and Abor tribes. They differ mentally and physically from 

 their mountain neighbours to the same degree. 



The truth seems to be, that the Hrusso entered Assam about the 

 same period when the far more numerous and daring Ahoms burst 

 from their hills into the valley. Probably the Akas^ preceded them, 

 and having been driven from place to place, they finally settled on the 

 hills where they now still live. As to numerical importance, the 

 Angkas would barely deserve any notice at all. They do not number 

 more than one thousand souls. 



This handful of hill people live in two detached villages. The 

 greater one is inhabited by Akaa who have earned for themselves 

 the sobriquet of cotton thieves, or Kapas-chor. The smaller is 

 peopled by a less offensive clan called the Hazarikhuka, or breakfast- 

 eaters. 



There is a third class of Angkas spoken of by the people of the 

 plains who go by the name of Angka Miris. Old maps have them 

 located beyond the snowy range on the Tibet side. But by all ac- 

 counts, these Angka Miris live to the east of the Kapas-chor Angkas. 

 The Miris of the plains who are in the habit of hunting for elephants 

 deny having ever heard of Angka Miris. Further enquiry, however^ 

 may enable me to throw more light upon this tribe. 



The importance which attaches to the Akas is first the had name 

 which they bear among the people of the valley, who inhabit the tracts 

 of country bordering on the Aka hills. For the Akas, few as they are in 

 number, make up for this deficiency by being bold and daring robbers 

 and cut-throats. Next in importance is their situation between the people 

 of the valley of Assam and the powerful and very numerous clans of the 

 Miji tribe. The Mijis, it would seem, are not in the habit of visiting 

 Assam, except only one small chief ; but they highly prize the silk 

 and cotton cloth the Akas are able to procure from the' plains, and for 

 which these demand from the Mijis exorbitant prices. As a third 

 cause of their importance may be adduced the fact that, although 

 powerless themselves, they know how to make themselves formidable, 



