Kadus

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This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.

Kadus

An Upper Burmese tribe inhabiting the central portion of the watershed that separates the Irrawaddy from the Chindwin river. In 1 90 1 the tribe numbered 34,629, nearly all of whom were inhabi- tants of Katha District. The origin of the Kadus is doubtful ; but, judging by their language and habitat, it seems probable that they are descendants of hill tribes who have intermarried with the surrounding Shan and Burman population and have by some means acquired a tribal identity of their own. Their speech is a mixture of Burmese, Shan, and Kachin, but is now gradually dropping out of use, and will doubtless soon become obsolete. In dress the Kadus used to differ somewhat from their neighbours; but only the elder women now adhere to the tribal costume, which consists of a wholly black or dark- blue jacket, petticoat, and head-cloth. Burmese dress has become almost universal. The practice of staining the teeth of the women appears to have been followed in the past, but the custom is dying out. The Kadus are Buddhists. They have two main subdivisions, known as the Apwa (male) and the Ama (female), but the distinction has been obliterated by intermarriage. They are believed to be connected with the Saks or Thets, an almost extinct tribe of Arakan. It is possible that they are allied to the Tamans, a probably hybrid tribe of the Upper Chindwin District.