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Kachin civilization dated back to B.C; a Jinghpaw researcher

The historical evidences shown that the civilization of Kachin also known as Jinghpaw or Jinghpo people, who are the natives of the area encompassed South West China, Northern Burma and North East India, dated back to B.C. period, according to a research of a Jinghpaw scholar in China.

A Jinghpaw researcher Duwa Manam Tawng, aka Mr. Li Xiangqian, uncovered the historical link between ancient and modern Jinghpaw civilization by proving the archeological evidences; single-hole stone flute (Lung Seng Htu-Ren) and silver wristlet (La-Bat Lahkawn), which were unearthed by Chinese archeologist in 2004 in China. He was interviewed by China's state-run CCTV-4 regarding his research work and his interview was broadcasted to over 100 countries in the early of June 2008 via CCTV-4.

According to Chinese archeological records, single-hole stone flute (Lung Seng Htu-Ren) was dated back to 7,000 years and silver wristlet (La-Bat Lahkawn), was 2,000 years old. The single-hole stone flute was made with a stone which is similar to Jade stone.

Manam Tawng proved that the single-hole stone flute (Lung Seng Htu-Ren) is identical to nowadays Jinhpaw's single-hole bamboo flute musical instrument, which can be tuned into wonderful traditional Jinghpaw music. A single-hole jade flute was unearthed in Chifung village in Hongshan area of People's Republic of China in 2004.

A silver wristlet (La-bat lahkawn) is identical to today's Jinghpaw women's silver ornament. It was unearthed nearby Beijing, in China.

Duwa Manam Tawng is the only researcher who can interpret and illustrate how and when Jinghpaw people use the single-hole stone flute for various purposes. Only the Jinghpaw can play the single-hole flute until the present days, said Manam Tawng.

Duwa Manam Tawng, famous scholar and a member of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association, and his research team (Seeking-Jingpo-Origin) did a research work on fact-finding project on ancient Jinghpaw civilization for almost a decade. Manam Tawng travelled thousands of miles across the north and the south of China to carry out the investigation.

According to his research, Jinghpaw originated from the area nowadays called Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei and some areas of Inner Mongolia in China. Manam Tawng proved that ancient geographical names of these areas are identical to those ancient geographical names appear in the Jinghpaw epic poem (Manau Jaiwa) as well as in the tune that Jinghpaw sign at funerals for sending the souls of the dead back to their ancient home.

Manam Tawng also points out that shapes and pattern of earthenware the Jinghpaw using nowadays are quite similar to the earthenware which were found in above mention locations in China, concluding that contemporary Jinghpaw earthenware were inherited from its ancestors.

In 2007, Manam Tawng published a book called Jingpo Historical & Culture Photo Album, illustrating that Kachin people have created a rich and splendid culture and leaving precious culture heritage. The book fills up the gap between ancient Jinghpaw civilization, which dated back to thousand years, and modern Jinghpaw civilization. The book also illustrates that great wisdom of Jinghpaw people it's history.

"Its significance will remain not just as a social service today but in its benefits for future generations," write in Manam Tawng's book. "It will play its significant role in enhancing the national self-confidence, enhancing the sense of pride, promotion and development of national culture."

Duwa Manam Tawng currently serves as the head of National Culture and Historical Research department of Sacking province, Delong Prefecture in Yunnan Province of People's Republic of China.

Kachin also known as Jinghpaw or Jingpo are currently the native people of Kachin State and northern Shan State in northern Burma, Dehong prefecture in China's south west Yunnan Province and Arunachal Pradesh Province in north east India. The populations of Kachin is estimated about 2 million.

Jinghpaw or Jingpo are called as Kachin in Burma, Jingpo in China and Singhpo in India.

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