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Arunachal has 26 major tribes and many sub-tribes living in
3, 649 scattered villages. Although a number of tribal groups constitute
the total population, the density of population is very less. People are
Mangoloid stock but each tribe has certain distinct characteristics in
language, dress & costume. Quite content with their rich cultural
heritage, the Arunachali tribals are simple, friendly and hospitable
people. Their colourful festivals are manifestations of their faith and
belief.
Managing A Democratic Environment
The society is patriarchal and primogeniture and the fundamental laws of
inheritance with variations are not uncommon. They follow endogamy and
strictly observe the rule of clan exogamy. Polygamy is socially sanctioned
and is practiced by most of them. The people are highly democratic, and
each tribe has its own organised institutions that maintain law and order,
decide disputes and take up all activities for the welfare of the tribes
and the villages. The people of the tribe only select the members
constituting these organisations.
Myths & Fictions
The tribal society is dominated by myths and fictions. These bear the
stamp of tribal creativity and imaginations. In one of the stories, earth
and sky are spoken of lovers. In Singpho story, God uses rainbow as the
ladder to meet his wife on the moon. 'Wiyu' spirits who exercise great
influence on human life dominates Adi stories. The stories of Monpas
usually have moral.
Social Structure
The tribals of Arunachal Pradesh have highly ordered and organised system
of functioning in their villages. All matters relating to the community as
a whole are decided at the village level. The socio-administrative
structure of the society, as evolved over a period of centuries,
recognises democratic partition right down to the level of villages.
The traditional Village Panchayat of an Adi Village is locally, known as "Kebang"
which is judicio-administrative body, consisting of mature and influential
elders. Kebang looks after the administration of justice in the society by
setting all matters of dispute.
Similar such self-governing institution exists among other tribes too.
They are variously called as "Jong" among the Sherdukpens, Mel
among the Akas, Buliang among the Apaptanis and so on.
The Three Distinctive Cultural Groups
The entire population of the state can be divided into three cultural
groups on the basis of their socio-politico-religious affinities. It has
been found that the tribes of Arunachal are integrated into groups
independant of each other, living their separate lives. The common
denominators are that the pattern of lifestyle of each is the same and
that they follow the same occupation; the societies are casteless; the
societies are governed by chiefs and the adults were grouped according to
their age for distinct social functions. The young are organised around
dormitory institutions to follow the instructions of the older generation.
WANCHOS
The Wanchos (also spelt as Vonchos) inhabit the southwestern part of the
Tirap district bordering Nagaland. They are fond of wearing decorated
headgears and heavy strings of beads on the neck, arms, legs and ears.
These are hardy people known for their strictly structured village society
in which the hereditary village chief plays a vital role.
NOCTES
The Noctes inhabit the central part of the Tirap district, to the north
of the Wanchos. These people have a long and traditional contact with the
people of the neighbouring plains. The Nectes also practice elementary
form of Vaishnavism.
TANGSAS
Tangsas is a common name of a group of people consisting of the
Lungchang, Moklong, Yugli, Lungri, Have, Moshong, Rundra, Takhak, Ponthi
and Longphi. Each group is subdivided into a number of exogamous clans.
These tribes occupy the Changlang district along the Indo-Myanmar front.
SINGPHOS
The Singphos live on the banks of Teang and Noa Diking Rivers and extend
towards the southeast into the land of the Khamptis. They are a fine
athletic race with developed Mongolian features. They are expert
blacksmiths and prepare iron implements of quality. The ladies are good
weavers. This tribe is a follower of Buddhism.
KHAMPTIS
The Khamptis live to the south of the Lohit district along the Kamlang,
Dehing and Tengapani Rivers with the Parasuramkund to the northeast and
Tirap district of the south. Khamptis are good craftsmen, enterprising
traders and skilful agriculturists. They are also a Buddhist tribe.
MISHMIS
There are three main groups of the Mishmis, viz. Idu, Miju or Kaman and
Digaru or Taraon. The Idus, also called "Chulikata", by the
plains people live in Dibang valley district. With roughly 25,000 members,
the Idu tribe is divided into sections, each named after the river by the
side of which they live.
MIJIS OR KAMANS
The Mijis tribe (Kamans) lives in the Lohit district, east of the
Taraons. Their population number is approximately 18,000. The Kamans
unlike the Idus, keep their hair long. Their dress is as colourful as it
is durable. The Kaman women have an admirable sense of colour and pattern.
Agriculture is one of the main occupations of these people. The Digarus
call themselves as "Taraon". They are good agriculturists.
ADIS & THEIR SUB GROUPS
The tribes of the East, West and Upper Siang districts are mainly those
classified under the general title of "Adis". They may be
divided into three main groups: Galos, Padams, and Miwongs, each of which
can again be subdivided into a number of sub-groups.
These tribal people are exogamous. Dances are very popular among the
Adis. "Ponung" is their traditional dance, which is also
religious in character.
Galos: The Galos weave clothes of highly artistic designs and the
finest profit is a beautiful skirt with a central pattern of black yarn
netted in regular designs of black and white.
Hill Miris: The Hill Miris inhabiting the lower Kamla valley look
attractive in their costume. They tie the hair in a knot just above the
forehead. Their women wear attractive "crinoline of cane rings"
which serves the purpose of a blouse, but now it is not seen in the urban
areas.
Apatamis: The Apatamis (also spelt as Apa Tanis) are settled in a
valley in the Centre of the lower Subansiri district around the district
headquarters. They live in crowded villages, are expert in wet cultivation
and grow paddy and millet in abundance. Apatamis are specialized over
centuries in harvesting two crops of fish along with each crop of paddy.
They have a stable agricultural economy.
Nyishis: The Nyishis are divided into several exogamous clans. The
Nyishi men keep their hair long and tie it in a knot just above the
forehead and they wear cane bands around the waist traditional dress.
Hrussos: The Hrussos are commonly called "Akas" which
means 'painted' for they have a custom of painting their faces with black
marks. They figured frequently in old historical records and are quite
good traders.
KHOWAS OR BUGUN
The Khowas (Bugun) occupy 7 villages in Teilga and Bichum valley in the
neighbourhood of the Sherdukpens. Buddhism has got a major influence on
the Buguns.
PUROIKS OR SULUNGS
The Puroiks (Sulungs) live mainly in the high altitudes of Kameng
districts. They dress like the Nyishis. The Mijis call themselves "Dhamai".
In appearance and way of life there is little to distinguish them from the
Akas (Hrussos).
SHERDUKPENS
The Sherdukpens live mainly in the two villages of Rupa and Shergaon in
West Kameng district. They are divided into two classes, the "Thongs"
and the "Gheos". The Sherdukpens are good agriculturalists and
traders. Their religion is an interesting blend of Buddhism and religious
beliefs. There are the gentle and cultured Monpas of West Kameng Districts
who received Buddhism from Padma Sambhava.