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The Namphake village in Naharkatiya is home to a small population of the Tai Phakes community. About six kilometres from the upper Assam town of Naharkatiya and 37 kilometres from Dibrugarh town, is the Namphake village in the riverine area of Buridihing, home to a small population of Tai Phakes. About 150 Phakial families of this village are keeping alive their unique identity, customs and traditions. Spread three-odd kilometers along the bank of the Dihing, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra, the picturesque village has an enticing old-world charm. Perhaps, it is still unaware to Assam people, may be known to very few. It is very good example by the villagers for conservation of Thai culture as well as Assamese Buddhist culture.
A very beautiful Buddhist monastery is located in this area. This monastery is regarded as a meditation center, due to its unique natural settings and serene atmosphere. It also serves as a very famous tourist attraction of Assam. Apart from this, the other attractions of the area are Nong Mungchiringta (Musulinda tank), Ashoka Pillar, Pagoda, and traditional stilt houses. The Princess of Thailand visited the village in 2009 and spoke with the residents. Apparently, despite the distance, the language and modern Thai have so much in common they are mutually intelligible.
Tai Phake is the branch of the great Tai race that entered Assam in the latter half of the 18th century. The word Phake has been derived from the Tai words "Pha: meaning wall and "Ke" meaning ancient or old. People living near and around the stoned walls in due course came to be known as Kunphake, i.e., people residing near Phake part of the country. The Tai is a generic name denoting a great branch of the Mongoloid population of Asia. The Tai people are now mainly concentrated in the Indo-Chinese peninsula. The present habitat of the Tai people extends from Assam in the west to Kwangsi and Hainan in the east and from the interior of Yunnan in the north to the southern-most extremity of Thailand (Siam) in the south.
The striking factor of the Namphake village is their claim that police have never entered its premises. Any dispute is settled among the people by the monks. The people are also not dependent on modern medicinal facilities. They rely on herbal method of curing. A 90-year-old woman Jingmya Gohain said, "We at fresh vegetables and food and seldom fall ill. In case of some complications, we rely on our traditional ways of healing."
The Phakials usually marry within the community. But there is no hard and fast rule that they cannot marry outside their community. The society is basically patriarchal – the son inherits his father’s property.
How To Reach Tai-Phake village or Namphake Village :
1) By Road : Naharkatiya is well connected with Dibrugarh and Sivasgar by road
2) By Rail : Naharkatiya is having own railway station and nearest Railway Junction is in Dibrugarh.
3) By Air : The nearest airport is in Mohanbari, Dibrugarh
Tai-Phakey Eco Tourism Camp : Is an non-governmental organisation expressly formed to promote eco-tourism. Its headquarter is at Tipam Phakey, 2 Km away from Joypore or jaipur town in Naharkatiya, adjacent to the Historical place of Tipam and the Dehing Patkai Rainforest. It was formed in 2010 September to include a number of natural activities and unemployed youth of the Tipam fakey village in the vicinity right from its inception TaiPhakey Eco-tourism in this area as an industry of International standard. Besides Historical place of Tipam and Rainforest / Dehing-Patkai Sanctuary is the main spot of attraction.
This includes lodging capacity 10 to 16 members per night, enjoy family picnic at Burhidihing River, Swiming at Burhidihing river , a memorable insight into ethnic Tai-Phakey culture and living styles, trekking, Bird watching, Library and more fun to explore. It is having various cottages. It is providing per cottage around 1700 INR for single day including Breakfast and Lunch. The cottages having different names like Hornbill Cottage etc.
Contact Address Of Tai-Phakey Eco Tourism Camp :
Rainforest House,
Tai Phakey Village,
P.O. - Tipam,
Dibrugarh,
Pin - 786614
Assam
Contact Number Of Tai-Phakey Eco Tourism Camp : +91-9577322997,8486843784 |
