Asho Chin people

Asho people (Burmese: အရှိုချင်း), one of the tribes of the Chin people, are native to Arakan, Magwe Region, Pegu Region, Irrawaddy Region and some in Yangon Region. They are much influenced by the Burmese in their daily life. They are well educated and having high profile jobs in the Myanmar government.

For the title, see Zoroaster.

Asho

အရှိုချင်း
Total population
250,000
Regions with significant populations
Rakhine State, Magway Region, Pegu, Irrawaddy, Burma
Languages
Asho Chin language
Religion
Theravada Buddhism, Christianity, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Chin people

Demography

The native speakers of Asho language are around 10,000.[1] The total population of the Asho people are around 400,000.[2] In ancient Burmese scriptures, they are called Khyeng. They are also known as Plain Chin, as they are living in the plains of Myanmar. Unlike other Chin clans, their main problem is communications among themselves due to distances between their villages, not the differences in their dialects.

Religion

Unlike other Chin clans, many of them are Buddhist. The Christian missionaries also used Burmese script for writing Asho language. Rev. G. Whitehead of Anglican Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, introduced the Latin script for writing and published Gospel of Mark in 1921. A Bible Society from Rangoon published New Testament in 1954 in Burmese script.[3]

References

1. Khup Za Go, Rev.: A Critical Historical Study of Bible Translation among the Zo people in Northeast India. Imphal. BCPW Press. 1996. p.80-81.
2. Mindat Bonein: History of Chin Hills. Rangoon. Sapay Beihman. 1976. p. 11.
3. ဆမၩကျ့ၩထၩ(Hsama kyá hta) = The New Testament in Asho Southern Chin. British and Foreign Bible Society Burma Agency, 1954.