BSW-044 TRIBALS IN NORTH Indira Gandhi EASTERN AND National Open University School of Social Work NORTHERN INDIA Block 1 TRIBALS OF THE NORTHEAST REGION-I UNIT 1 Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh 5 UNIT 2 Tribes of Assam 24 UNIT 3 Tribes of Manipur 37 UNIT 4 Tribes of Meghalaya 45 EXPERT COMMITTEE Prof. Virginius Xaxa Dr. Archana Kaushik Dr. Saumya Director – Tata Institute of Associate Professor Faculty Social Sciences Department of Social Work School of Social Work Uzanbazar, Guwahati Delhi University IGNOU, New Delhi Prof. Hilarius Beck Dr. Ranjit Tigga Dr. G. Mahesh Centre for Community Department of Tribal Studies Faculty Organization and Development Indian Social Institute School of Social Work Practice Lodhi Road, New Delhi IGNOU, New Delhi School of Social Work Prof. Gracious Thomas Dr. Sayantani Guin Deonar, Mumbai Faculty Faculty Prof. Tiplut Nongbri School of Social Work School of Social Work Centre for the Study of Social IGNOU, New Delhi IGNOU, New Delhi Systems Dr. Rose Nembiakkim Dr. Ramya Jawaharlal Nehru University Director Faculty New Delhi School of Social Work School of Social Work IGNOU, New Delhi IGNOU, New Delhi COURSE PREPARATION TEAM Block Preparation Team Programme Coordinator Unit 1 Bro. Sunny Dr. Rose Nembiakkim Unit 2 Bro. Jerry Director Unit 3 Dr. Joseph Kuba School of Social Work Unit 4 Dr. D. Laloo IGNOU PRINT PRODUCTION Mr. Kulwant Singh Assistant Registrar (P) SOSW, IGNOU August, 2018 © Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2018 ISBN-978-93-87237-72-8 All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Further information on the Indira Gandhi National Open University Courses may be obtained from the University’s Office at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi -110 068. Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi by Director, School of Social Work. Laser Typeset by : Graphic Printers, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi BLOCK INTRODUCTION The block titled ‘Tribals of the Northeast Region -I’ consists of four units which highlights the tribal population in the four northeast states of India. The language, culture as well as religious practices have also been discussed. Major tribal groups that are found in the four states of the Northeast region of India have been discussed in this block namely: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya. Unit 1 is about the ‘Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh’. It throws light about the people within the state while at the same time describing the tourism facility, the flora and fauna, the resources, economy as well as the tradition and culture of the different tribal population existent in the state. Unit 2 about the ‘Tribes of Assam’ introduces some of the major tribal communities that are found in the region along with their unique features and characteristics. The unit also describes the various cultural differences existing among the different tribal communities of Assam and also the interventional methods used for the development of the tribal communities. Unit 3 is on the ‘Tribes of Manipur’ and provides information about the tribal customs and the change and continuity within the tribal society in Manipur. It also highlights the concerns confronting the tribal society as well as the ethnic group and insurgency. Unit 4 is about the ‘Tribes of Meghalaya’. The unit provides information about the three major tribes namely: Khasi, Jaintia and the Garo Tribe of Meghalaya. It also discusses the Land System prevalent in the region and throws light on the Matrilineal System of the tribes of Meghalaya while talking about the social life of the tribes. 4th Blank UNIT 1 TRIBES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 About the People 1.3 Tribes of Adi, Nyishi and Apatani 1.4 Tribes of Tagin, Mishmi, Khampti and Nocte 1.5 Tribes of Wancho, Tangsa, Singpho, Monpa, Sherdukpen and Aka 1.6 Tribes of Tangam, Khowa, Khampa, Miji, Padam, Minyong, Memba and Yobin 1.7 Let Us Sum Up 1.8 Further Readings and References 1.0 OBJECTIVES In this Unit, we will learn about the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh. After introducing the tribals in the State, we shall discuss the flora and fauna, the resources available, the economic state as well as the tradition and culture along with the tourism of the State. The Unit also discusses in brief other minor tribes found in the State. By the end of this Unit, you should be able to know: Briefly the tribal scenario in the State; The resources in the State; The socio-economic life of the tribals in the State; and The tradition, beliefs and customs of the tribals in the State. 1.1 INTRODUCTION Arunachal Pradesh, the land of the sunrise, is situated in the North-East of India. An imaginary line called the Mac-Mohan line determined the Northern and the North- Eastern political boundary of India and of Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet, now under China. The eastern boundary coincides with the Myanmar boundary. The boundary of Bhutan and of India coincides in the Western part of Arunachal Pradesh. Internally Arunachal Pradesh shares the southern and western boundary with the states of Assam and Nagaland. The first Indian soil to greet the sun is at Dong in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh with the religious faith of the vast majority of the territory’s people based on the worship of the sun and moon. The erstwhile North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) which attained the status of a Union Territory on January 20, 1972 and was renamed Arunachal Pradesh achieved full- fledged Statehood on February 20, 1987. Its capital, Itanagar is located in Papumpare district which was once a seat of historical importance. Arunachal Pradesh has an area of 83,743 Sq. km. which is four times bigger than the area of Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya, eight times of Tripura and 500 sq. kms. more than Assam. The state of Madhya Pradesh has the biggest area in India and 5 Tribals of the Northeast Arunachal Pradesh is one-fifth of its area. It is twice as big as Switzerland, Belgium and Region -I Denmark. While it has the largest land area among the North Eastern states, its density of population, 13 persons per sq.km, is the lowest not only in the region but in the entire country. Arunachal Pradesh’s Females to Males ratio of 893 is below the regional average 936. It has the highest ratio of land distribution per person in the region and in the country. It is 7.63 hectares of land to a person in Arunachal where as it is 0.67 hectares for North East and 0.31 for all India. The state has 16 districts: Changlang, Lower Dibang Valley, Upper Dibang Valley, East Kameng, West Kameng, East Siang, West Siang, Upper Siang, Lohit, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Papum Pare, Tawang, Tirap, Kurung Kumey and Anjaw. Arunachal Pradesh’s topography has hills, mountains, valleys and plains. Hills and mountains predominate. The great Himalayas spreads to the East and covers most of the Northern part of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh with about 1,097,968 populations keeps perfect harmony with nature, having its own lifestyle, culture, festivals and dances. The population of Arunachal is predominantly tribal, belonging to the Indo-Mongoloid stock. According to census 2011 figures, scheduled tribes form 68.78 per cent of the population as against an average of 8.6 per cent for the whole of India. There are about 26 major tribes, divided into as many as 110 sub tribes. The principal tribes are Adi, Nishi, Apatani, Tagin, Mishmi, Khampti Nocte, Wancho, Tangshangng, Singpho, Monpa, Sherdu-Kpen and Aka. These tribes speak their own dialects, though none have a script of their own. 1.2 ABOUT THE PEOPLE The entire population of Arunachal Pradesh is divided into three cultural groups based on socio-political religious affinities. The first groups of tribes profess Buddhism. They include the Monpas, Sherdukpens, Membas, Khamptis and Singhpos. The second group consists of tribes like the Akas, Khowas, Mijis, Bangnis, Solungs, Nishi, Apatanis, Hill Miris, Adis, Mishmis, Tangsas, etc. These tribes practice a form of religion which may be called magico-religious beliefs and practices. The third group of tribes are Wanchos and the Noctes who believe in a sort of animist religion and practice head hunting. The WONCHOS inhabit the south-western part of the Tirap district bordering Nagaland. They are fond of wearing decorated headgears and heavy strings of beads on neck, arms, legs and ears. The NOCTES inhabit the central part of the Tirap district, to the north of the Wanchos. These people have long and traditional contact with the people of the neighboring plains. Many of them are Vaishnavites. TANGSHANGS is a common name of a group of people consisting of the Lungchang, Moklong, Yugli, Lungri, Have, Moshong, Rundra, Takhak, Ponthi and Longphi. These tribes occupy the Changlang district along the Indo-Myanmar front. 6 The SINGPHOS live on the banks of Teang and Noa Dihing rivers and extend towards the southeast into the land of the Khamptis. They are a fine athletic race with developed Tribes of Arunachal Mongolian features. Their men are expert blacksmiths and the ladies are good weavers. Pradesh They are Buddhists. The KHAMPTIS live to the south of the Lohit district along the Kamlang, Dehing and Tengapani rivers. The Khamptis are good craftsmen, enterprising traders and skillful agriculturists. They are Buddhists. There are three main groups of the MISHMIS, viz. IDU, MIJU or KAMAN and DIGARU or TARAON. The Idus also called Chulikata by the plain people live in Dibang valley district.