Khamyang people

           Khamyang , also known as Shyam, is a tribal group found primarily in Tinsukia, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts of Assam as well as adjacent parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Their population totals about 3,5000 of which only a small minority speak the native Tai Khamyang language. The Khamyang are followers of Theravada Buddhism and are closely related to the Khampti. They maintain good relations with other Tai Buddhist tribes of Assam.

The Khamyangs, who are popularly known as Noras, are of Thai-stock. "Khamyang" itself is a Thai word, deriving etymologically from "kham" (gold) and "yang" or "jang" (to have)"Kau means I","Khau means Rice", and meaning "people of gold". They ruled an independent principality in Mungkong until the end of the 18th century.

Many Khamyang have historically used "Shyam", which is a cognate with "Siam", the old word for Thailand, as a surname. The modern trend is for most Khamyang to use family names including Chowlu, Chowlik, Wailong, Pangyok, Thaomung, Chawsong, Tungkhang, Phalek, Chaohai.Tai Khamyang family is Nine to Assam Live.