The Achang (), also known as the Ngac'ang (their own name) is an ethnic group. They are one of the peoples who speak Tibeto-Burman languages. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. They also live in Myanmar, where they're known as Maingtha () in Shan State and Ngochang in Kachin State.
The Achang number approximately 43,775, with most residing in Yunnan province, primarily in Lianghe County of Dehong Autonomous Prefecture. The Achang speak a Burmish language, related to Burmese, known as Achang. However, there is no indigenous writing system for the language, and Chinese characters are often used instead. Many Achang also speak Tai Lü language, mainly for commercial transactions with the Dai people.
The Husa Achang (戶撒), living in Longchuan County (also in Dehong), speak a distinct dialect and consider themselves to be a separate group. In the 1950s, they filed an unsuccessful application to be recognized as a distinct nationality. The Husa are more Sinicized than other Achang, with Confucian-style ancestral memorial tablets commonly found in their homes. Most traditional Husa people practice a mixture of Theravada Buddhism and Taoism.
History
The Achang are descendants of the Qiang tribes that inhabited the border region between Sichuan, Gansu, and Sichuan provinces around 2,000 years ago. The Achang people are considered one of Yunnan's earliest inhabitants. Their leader, Zaogai, established a rule that only the oldest son of the former leader could succeed to the position. The Achang community grew stronger and began establishing trade relationships with other kingdoms such as Jinchi and Bo. The Achang are also descendants of the Xunchuan people from the Tang dynasty. In 1383 AD, during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming dynasty, the Achang people, under the leadership of Zuona, pledged allegiance to the emperor.