The Union of Myanmar comprises 135 nationalities. Some of them are near extinction. That’s why Yangon Anthropology Department took these opportunities to learn the customs of the near extinct races of Myanmar.
The excursion group went to Kha Yaung Village, Naung Mon Township, Putao District in the northernmost part of Myanmar. They put on record the aspects related to Taron race and they also explained to MRTV-3 for the purpose of the journey to the northern part of Myanmar.The excursion group started their journey on 16^th of March 2003 and they recounted their experiences on this journey.
Our research team includes altogether 6 persons. The team leader is Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win (Lecturer) and the members are Daw Khin Moe Moe Kyu (Lecturer), Daw Myat Sandi Aung (Assistant Lecturer), Daw Mya Thida Aung (Assistant Lecturer), Daw Hla Hla Kyi (Tutor) and Daw Hlaing Hlaing Oo (Tutor). We were supported and accompanied by officials of Kachin State,” said Daw Mya Thida Aung.

“Started our journey on 16 March 2003, firstly from Putao to Salumdam by car. It’s about 9miles away from Putao. For the whole journey to Kharoung we had just to rely on our own feet. From Salundam to Naung Mon, we had to walk 3 days. From Naung Mon to Pannedin, we had to walk four days. The camps are built of logs and bamboos. We really exhausted while hiking up and down the mountain all day longs,” Tutor Daw Hla Hla Kyi said.
From Pannendin to Karaung, we had to walk four days for about 55 miles. In between, there are 9 camps. From the way of Tasunten to Karaung Village is the most dangerous and difficult for our trip. Along the way, we see bamboo houses and only when we arrived at Karaung village we saw log houses nearly the whole village. The logs selected for posts are just placed on stone plate and are not set in the ground,” said Daw Hlaing Hlaing Oo, Tutor of Department of Anthropology.

We had to hike all day long to get our village or camp for the day. Although we could move quite easy in sunny days, we got great exhausts and stress in the rainy days. The slippery stones threatened us by each of our step in every second. Deadly ravines and roaring streams welcomed us often. We had to be very cautious to cross so many bamboo, log and rattan bridges. At the same moment, we became the victims of terrible leech, very big sand flies and almost of the snakes. But as soon as we arrived our target for the day and sitting around the fireplace, we’d already forgot our pains and sufferings. And then, in the next morning, we were always eager again to face every dangers and challenges of the way. I feel it must be our strong desire driving us to see our friends, the peace-loving Taron people.”
Taron nationals belong to Rawang tribal group and originally came from the region of Taron river basin in China. There are only 5 pure Tarons in Karaung village, 4 of luamdum clan; they are siblings and one of Sondum clan. Luamdum Darwi is the only pure Taron male. He is 45 years old and 4 feet 3 inches tall. Luamdum Nam-hsein is 60 years old and 4 feet 3 inches tall.
Luamdum Mar-hta is 50 years old and Luamdum Nwin is 43 years old. They are spinsters and their heights are 4 feet 2 inches. Sondum Son-wan, 100 years olds now is of Sondum clan, and the only surviving pure Taron today. Her height is 4 feet 5 inches,” said Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win.
Tarons eat rice. But it is not enough for their staple food. Therefore, they eat alternatives: such as corn, beans, jute, maize, roots and U Hlaing (a kind of edible plant in the area). Meat, fish and vegetable are eaten as curry. They make their food by pounding and boiling,” said Daw Khin Moe Moe Kyu.
The most extensive occupation is hillside agriculture, Taung-ya. The second most important economic activity is hunting. So, they are famous as great hunters. There are two reasons for hunting: to get meat for the family’s needs and to gather horns, leather, fur and other parts of animals for trade. They barter these pelts for other necessities from the “outside world”. They practice this “barter system” even today,” Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win said.
The six-member excursion group from Yangon Anthropology Department includes only women. Even they are women; they walked on foot for 23 days. The entire research journey took 38 days.
Because of the goodwill endeavour of the excursion group, the custom and socio-economic life of Taron race, who are near extinction could have been revealed in time.