Mindat, Chin State

Mindat
မင်းတပ်
Town
Mindat
Location in Chin State, Myanmar (Burma)
Coordinates: 21°22′N 93°59′E / 21.367°N 93.983°E / 21.367; 93.983Coordinates: 21°22′N 93°59′E / 21.367°N 93.983°E / 21.367; 93.983
Country  Myanmar
Division  Chin State
District Mindat District
Township Mindat Township
Population (2005)
 • Religions Buddhism Christianity
Time zone UTC+6.30 (MST)
Climate Cwa

Mindat (Burmese: မင်းတပ်မြို့) is a town in the Chin State of Western Myanmar.It is the administration seat of Mindat Township and Mindat District.

People

The people living in Mindat are called K'Cho, which is made up of three tribes; Mun, Dai, and Kaang. The K'Cho people are known for their rare tradition of females having their face tattoed. However, this tradition is no longer practice since the mid 1900s and face tattoo can only be seen on elderly women. Beginning in the early 21st century, many of the K'Cho people have migrated to many different parts of the world including United States, Australia, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Malaysia, and many others.

Based on a translated conversation with a group of elderly women with tattooed faces (2016):

  • A girl would decide when she was ready to have her face tattooed. She would take an offering to the woman who gave the tattoos.
  • The entire face could be tattooed in as little as an hour. The time depended on how many breaks the girl needed, since it is a painful procedure. The time is estimated, since they did not have clocks in those days.

Climate

Mindat has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa). Temperatures are warm for most of the year, but the winter months (November–February) are cooler. There is a winter dry season (December–May) and a summer wet season (June–November).

Climate data for Mindat
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 19.3
(66.7)		 22.7
(72.9)		 27.0
(80.6)		 29.2
(84.6)		 27.9
(82.2)		 24.8
(76.6)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.0
(75.2)		 23.8
(74.8)		 23.4
(74.1)		 20.9
(69.6)		 19.2
(66.6)		 23.9
(75.1)
Average low °C (°F) 9.3
(48.7)		 12.2
(54)		 15.8
(60.4)		 18.1
(64.6)		 18.2
(64.8)		 18.2
(64.8)		 18.5
(65.3)		 18.0
(64.4)		 17.5
(63.5)		 16.4
(61.5)		 13.3
(55.9)		 10.1
(50.2)		 15.5
(59.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4
(0.16)		 5
(0.2)		 4
(0.16)		 34
(1.34)		 23
(0.91)		 240
(9.45)		 190
(7.48)		 351
(13.82)		 280
(11.02)		 177
(6.97)		 90
(3.54)		 4
(0.16)		 1,402
(55.21)
Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [1]

Geography

The main part of the town runs along the ridge of a mountain. The paved road runs from Pakokku to Matupi.

Transport

Bus

Arrive and depart by bus or minibus. There is a bus station. Direct buses to Pakokku or Matupi run mainly in the morning. Pakokku is approximately 5 hours. Matupi is approximately 5 hours.

Walking

Before the road was built or before regular bus service students walked from Mindat to Pakokku (advanced schools in Pakokku). The walk was on trails and took 2 to 3 days.

Accommodation

There are small hotels and guesthouses in Mindat that are available to both Myanmar people and foreigners.

Tun Guesthouse

Private rooms with shared bathroom. Private rooms with bathroom. Common room has a television and seating.

Religion

There are various religions in the town. Missionaries walk or motorbike to outlying villages to convert people.

Catholic

There is a Catholic church, which maintains a nursery school and living quarters for the elderly.

Buddhism

There is a Buddhist monastery.

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Mindat Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 11, 2013.


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