The 1981 census of India listed a population of just 409 Tikhak Tangsa people (186 males and 223 females). They live in the Manmao, Nampong, Miao and Bordumsa circles of the Changlang District in southeastern Arunachal Pradesh, India. A few of them also live in the Dibrugarh District of Assam.
The Tikhak are one of 15 different Tangsa tribes in India, totalling 16,475 people according to the 1981 Indian census. Several Tangsa groups are also located across the border in western Myanmar.
Among the 15 Tangsa groups in India, only two could be considered majority Buddhist: the Tikhak and the Yongkuk. The rest are Hindus, animists and Christians, and so have not been included in this book. In alphabetical order, the other Tangsa groups in India are the Havi (98% Hindu); Jugli (66% Hindu); Kimsing (62% Christian); Lungchang (95% animist); Lungphi (60% Hindu); Lungri (88% Hindu); Morang (46% Hindu, 38% Christian); Mosang (65% Hindu); Muklom (52% animist); Ronrang (98% Christian); Sangwal; Sankey (75% Christian); and the Tonglim (animist).
The name Tikhak reportedly can mean either 'proficient basket makers or those who produce a peculiar coughing sound '. They originated further to the east in a place called Mukcha in the Patkoi Range. About 150 years ago, for reasons unknown, they migrated away from their homeland to their present location.
One way to distinguish the Tikhak from other Tangsa tribes is by their dress. 'The men's lower dress called impayan (a handwoven lungi) has red, green, brown and white squares. The women's lower dress naitak (also a handwoven lungi) has different vertical stripes intersected by broad horizontal black stripes. The men also use the takot-khuka (kind of head dress). '
There is some confusion regarding the religious beliefs of the Tikhak Tangsa. The 1981 census returned 60 per cent of them as Buddhists, 32 per cent as Hindus, 6.3 per cent as Christians and 1.7 per cent as followers of 'other religions' (i.e., animism). At the time of the census, six out of every ten Tikhak Tangsa people stated that they were Buddhists. Other reports seem to imply that most Tikhak people are animists. 'The Tikhak religion consists of beliefs in different benevolent and malevolent spirits. The community believes in the concept of a god named fra or pra. No worship or sacrifice is offered to the fra. They worship the house deity called Matai once a year for the well-being of the family. Lumrong is worshipped for the protection of their entire area from natural calamities. The tumsa (priest) is an expert in detecting evil spirits, in diagnosing and curing diseases, in predicting the future, and in presiding over the worship ceremonies. Thus he is respected by all. A large number of Tikhaks have embraced Christianity, while some of them profess Buddhism. '
Although for now the Tikhak Tangsa are classified as a majority Buddhist group, they are surrounded by Christians. Close to 50 per cent of the Tangsa people overall are now Christians. The Tangsa New Testament was published in 1992, although it is not known if the Tikhak Tangsa are able to read it.
Scripture Prayers for the Tangsa Tikhak in India.
Profile Source: Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Tangsa Tikhak |
People Name in Country | Tangsa Tikhak |
Natural Name | Tikhak Tangsa |
Alternate Names | Tangsa; Tikhak; टंगसा, तीखाक |
Population this Country | 2,700 |
Population all Countries | 2,700 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 18270 |
ROP3 Code | 113811 |
ROP25 Code | 307944 |
ROP25 Name | Tangsa |
Country | India | ||
Region | Asia, South | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | They live in Manmao, Nampong, Miao and Bordumsa circles of the Changlang District in southeastern Arunachal Pradesh, India. A few also live in the Dibrugarh District of Assam. Source: Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004 | ||
Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | ||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | They live in Manmao, Nampong, Miao and Bordumsa circles of the Changlang District in southeastern Arunachal Pradesh, India. A few also live in the Dibrugarh District of Assam.. Source: Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004 |
Total States | 1 |
Arunachal Pradesh 2,700 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
77.73 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
20.84 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
1.13 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.04 %
|
Unknown |
0.26 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Naga, Tangshang (2,700 speakers) |
Language Code | nst Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Naga, Tangshang (2,700 speakers) |
Language Code | nst Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Naga, Tangshang |
Primary Language: Naga, Tangshang
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1979-1982) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1992-2007) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2014-2015) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Naga, Tase | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime | Jesus Film Project |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | Gospel website in this language | General / Other |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Naga, Tangshang | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Naga, Tangshang | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |