Phake

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Phake, also known as Phakial, is a Tai-speaking tribal group living in Dibrugarh district and Tinsukia district of Assam, principally along the areas of Dihing river, as well as adjacent parts of Lohit and Changlang districts in Arunachal Pradesh. As of 1990, their population stood at 5,000, which consists of less than 250 families.

The Phake were believed to have migrated from Thailand in the latter part of 18th century and formed the backbone of Ahom culture, which is being continued among the Phake even until modern times. The womenfolk wear an ankle-long skirt ('chin'), a blouse ('nang-wat') and a girdle ('chai-chin') to tighten the skirt around their waist.

The Phake are bilingual in both Phake and Assamese. The Phake language is similar to those of Shan. Being followers of Theravada Buddhism, they could also read Pali. Animist influence can also be seen in their religious practices.