The Jingpho (Jinghpaw) or Kachin Peoples largely inhabit the northern Myanmar (Burma) region. They are also one of 56 Indigenous Peoples officially recognized by the People’s Republic of China and they are closely related to the people in India known as the Singpho.

In British Colonial Burma, Jingpho or Kachins were categorized by the Census as separate “races” or “tribes” according to the language, including Kachin (Jingpho), Gauri, Maru, Lashi, Szi, Maingtha, Hpon, Nung and Lisu. Other officials, missionaries and the local administration recognized them as a single ethnic group. The early independence period Burmese government recognized Kachin as an overarching category. The current Myanmar government again views the Kachin as a “major national ethnic race” comprising the Kachin, Trone, Dalaung, Jinghpaw, Gauri, Hkahku, Duleng, Maru (Lawgore), Rawang, Lashi (La Chit), Atsi and Lisu as distinct ethnic groups.