Cultures of the Indo-Myanmar Border Tribes: The Notce, Wancho, Khampti, Singpho and Mishmi

Duration: 14 days
Months offered: Nov-February
Costs: From $3,500

There is arguably no denser concentration of cultural diversity in India than the Indo-Myanmar border country. This border was the creation of British colonialists in the 19 th century. The small peaks and hills of the Kumon and Patkai ranges formed a convenient natural feature on which to base the border. Living among these hills are Naga, Nocte, Khampti, Mishmi, Wancho, Singpho and literally dozens of other sub tribes. Each of these groups is today differentiated by thair dialect and textiles incorporated into their colorful clothing and religious practice. Some were until quite recently still head hunters, others like the Nagas have since WWII nearly all been converted to Christian Baptists. It is important to understand that WWII was the first real introduction many of these tribes had to foreigners. American, British and Chinese soldiers battled the Japanese near many of the places we will go. Then the war ended and all foreigners disappeared. In most places none have been back since the 1940s. Our journey into this fascinating border country is designed to immerse participants in each of the diverse cultures we visit. Importantly, our journeys never follow the same route twice. This is because cultural tourism is a very sensitive thing. Inappropriate cultural tourism quickly commodifies a culture, can breed self consciousness where before there was none, and introduces foreign ways of speaking, dress and thinking that distances, especially the young, from their own cultural heritage. Our trips are led by a foreign expert and a local High Asia trained guide with years of experience in the region. Festivals are attended, rituals and ancient textile production methods are observed. This is a fascinating opportunity to glimpse the way of life of some of Asia 's most remote and unknown people. Please contact us for more information on this journey.