Daingnet people
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (80,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Myanmar:Rakhine State | |
| Languages | |
| Chakma language | |
| Religion | |
| Theravada Buddhism |
Daingnet people live in the northern Rakhine State of Burma. According to their own internal census in 1995 they numbered about 60,000. In 2011, the number is estimated to be around 80,000. From appearance they are indistinguishable from the Rakhine people. But Daingnet people have a distinct language and culture. Ethnically they are closely related to the Chakma people of Bangladesh and North Eastern India. The languages of the Daingnet and Chakma people are mutually intelligible. Daingnet people are one of 135 ethnic groups officially recognized by the Myanmar government as indigenous to Myanmar. Daingnets are one of the Tibeto-Burman tribes. Genetically they are closely related to the Tibetans, Burmans and Rakhines.
Daingnet people do not call themselves Daingnet. They call themselves Thaikhma just like nearby Chakma people of Bangladesh and North East India. The Daingnet' are believed to be originally from greater Arakan Yoma North, presently Chin state ( previously Sak Buddhist homeland "Chacomas", What was occupied Zo people from Lusai Hills ). Daingnet is an exonym and they were named so by Rakhine people. In Rakhine language Daingnet means shield warriors or armored warriors. Centuries ago the Rakhine kings hired the Daingnets as soldiers and they showed their mastery with shield and sword. The Daingnets no longer fight with shield and sword, but the name Daingnet stuck.
Daingnets are indigenous to Rakhine State. They were among the first people who settled in northern Rakhine State. During the British rule the Daingnets were classified as Sak people. Sak is a generic term used by the Burmese and Rakhine people to denote the Chakma people. To the British the Daingnets were known as honest, hard working and reliable people.
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