Sumpa facts for kids

The Sumpa were an ancient tribe that lived in northeastern Tibet a very long time ago. Chinese historical records sometimes called them "Qiang", which was a general name for people living in what is now Southwest China. We don't know their exact ethnic background. The Sumpa people themselves called themselves the Supi or Sunpo. Their land became part of the Tibetan Empire in the late 600s CE. After this, they slowly became less independent and blended into the larger Tibetan population.

Who Were the Sumpa?

The ancient Chinese book Tangshu says that the Sumpa people originally came from the Western Qiang. The Qiang had lived in this region for a very long time. They were major enemies of the Shang Dynasty (around 1600-1046 BCE). Some historians, like Christopher I. Beckwith, think the name "Sumpa" might come from an old European word meaning 'chariot driver'.

After the Tibetans took over their land, the Sumpa started to be called Sunpo. They were the biggest tribe in their area, with about 30,000 families. Their land stretched from the Domi people's border in the east to the Houmangxia Pass in the west. This was a huge area!

Where Did They Live?

The Sumpa kingdom was located in northeastern Tibet during the 600s and 700s CE. Their territory went from the southern bank of the Yak River (also known as the Tongtian River or Chu-dmar in Tibetan) in the east. From there, it stretched about 452 kilometers southwest to the Houmangxia Pass. Sometimes, their land even reached as far as Khotan.

The Sumpa were considered part of the Tibetan kingdom quite early, even in the 500s CE. This was during the time of Namri Songtsen, who was the father of the famous Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. It's believed that the Sumpa spoke a dialect of Tibetan.

Sumpa History and Influence

The Sumpa, also known as Supi, are linked to the Supiya mentioned in old documents from the Tarim Basin around 300 CE. These documents describe them as invaders of the Kingdom of Khotan. The Khotanese people, who had lived in settled communities for about a thousand years, saw the Sumpa as wild and rough. The Sumpa were also mentioned in places like Niya and Cherchen.

The "Kingdoms of Women"

The Supi have also been connected to mysterious "Kingdoms of Women" during the Sui dynasty (581-617 CE) in China. One queen of a western "Kingdom of Women" was called Su-p'i in Chinese. This might mean she was a woman from the Supiya people.

Becoming Part of the Tibetan Empire

The Tibetan Annals record important events about the Sumpa. In 692 CE, the Tibetans took over the territory of Śo-čhigs, which belonged to the Sumpa. Then, in 702 CE, the Tibetan Emperor Tridu Songtsen and his advisors inspected the Sumpa lands. Documents found in Dunhuang suggest that a Tibetan advisor named Mangporje brought "the whole country of the Sumpa under tribute" around 627 CE, during the reign of Songtsen Gampo.

Even though the Tibetans took over the Sumpa lands mostly peacefully, and the Sumpa slowly became part of the Tibetan population, there were some disagreements. The Old Tibetan Chronicle says that Mangporje advised King Songtsen Gampo not to attack the Sumpa. The Sumpa had been loyal to Songtsen Gampo's father, Namri Songtsen. Instead of fighting, the Tibetans offered to protect the Sumpa's animals. Because of this, the Chronicle says, "all their households were naturally captured as subjects."

The Sumpa, along with the 'Asha (Tuyuhun), were quickly absorbed by the Yarlung Dynasty during the 600s and 700s CE. After they joined the Tibetans from the Yarlung Valley, they were sent to Minyak, which is now Amdo. Their job was to guard the eastern border against the Chinese.

Sumpa and the Chinese Empire

According to the Tangshu (a Chinese historical book), during the Tianbao era (742–755 CE), the Sumpa king, Molingzan, wanted to join the Chinese Empire with all his people. However, the Tibetans killed him. His son, Xinuo, and some important people escaped to Longyou in Gansu, China. The Chinese Governor sent them with guards to the capital city. There, the Chinese Emperor, Xuanzong (who ruled from 712–756 CE), treated them with great respect. Another Chinese book, the Xin Tangshu, says this happened in 755 CE. It calls the son Xinuoluo and says he was given the title of Huaiyi Prince, meaning "he who cherishes justice." He was also given the Chinese family name Li. The book adds, "The Supi are a powerful tribe."

Evidence from old wooden slips found near modern-day Hotan shows that Tibetan armies included Sumpa soldiers. These armies were stationed along the Southern Silk Road from the mid-700s to the mid-800s CE. One of the main administrative areas of Tibet (there were six in total) was called "Sumpa-ru." This area was in northeastern Tibet (Amdo), near Miran. Soldiers from Sumpa-ru were sent to guard camps at Mazar-tagh and Miran in the southern Tarim Basin.