About

The Matak community, a clan of the Tais, is one of the original, indigenous communities inhabiting in the Brahmaputra valley. They entered Assam from the South East Asia in ancient times much before the Ahoms came. As per historical references, when Chaolung Siukapha, the architect of modern Assam and a Tai king who came from Mungmaolung (in present China) in order to establish a country here, the first group of people whom he met on his way in the easternmost part of the ancient Assam was the Mataks. He established very cordial relationship with them. Lan Makkhru, a Matak tribesman who lived in Tipam region, helped Chaolung Siukapha in his war against the ferocious hill tribe Nagas. Siukapha identified him as Phukhao which, according to some scholars meant ‘White Tais’. Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang, who visited Assam (then called Kamrupa) observed that in the eastern border of Assam, Lao (Tais) were living.

 

The Mataks are known to be the ancient Tais as their name is given as Pukhao Ankao in history, meaning the ancient Tais. In fact, Matak is a Tai word. ‘Mo’ means ‘learned’ and ‘tak’ meaning ‘tested or powerful’. Chaolung Siukapha later embraced the Matak community wherever he came in contact with them. The prominent among the Mataks who were taken into the Ahom fold and who became Ahoms were Pikshai, Jakhalauburia, Matak Pator and Mimun Matak during the days of Siukapha.

 

In the present times, Matak People live mostly in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar district of upper Assam. However, a great amount of Mataks also live in in Dhemaji, Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Biswanath district of Assam.

 

Matak Janagosthi Research & Development Foundation is a trust set up by a group of people belonging to the Matak community and living in Guwahati, the capital of Assam. The primary aim and objectives of this trust is to collectively work and contribute towards the cause of this community and uphold its great legacy.