Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 20(1), January 2021, pp 277-283 Indigenous artifacts of Adi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh: Are they waning amidst the waves of globalization? D K Pandeya, P Adhigurub,*,† & T Ribac aCollege of Horticulture & Forestry, CAU (I), Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh 791 102, India bAgricultural Extension Division, KAB-I, ICAR, New Delhi 110 012 cKrishi Vigyan Kendra, East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh 791 102, India E- mail: †[email protected] Received 02 October 2019; revised 01 April 2020 The tribals lead the life with natural simplicity relying on primal truths reinforced by eternal values. The strength of the tribes is that they are able to successfully cling to the primal skills and natural simplicity. Their creations speak of evolutions over time, and the arts and crafts created by them have timeless appeal. The primal instinct in all of us is evoked whenever we come across the crudest tribal handicrafts. The present case study was conducted during August and September 2019 and the study included combination of methods such as research viz., household survey of 44 Adi families, followed by a focused group discussion was adopted and also documented the artifacts of Adi tribe in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Further, the study also aimed at unearthing the kinds of possible threats that arise due to globalization which may affect traditional craftsmanship. Multitudinal sets of traditional artifacts created out of indigenous wisdom have been documented which affirm that the life of the Adi is intertwined with the forest products especially bamboo, canes and their products. However, the prevailing trend of globalization, with characteristics of immense, unexpected emphasis on capital, labour and information, is having growing influence on material culture and in this scenario, especially new generation prefers more of plastic products in their day to day lifestyle. On the contrary, traditional artifacts of Adi could offer innovative and sustainable solutions which can act as alternatives to plastic products. Keywords: Bamboo articles, Cane crafts, Objects, Plastic, Traditional craftsmanship IPC Code: Int. Cl.21: B65G 47/57, C13B 5/04, G02B 21/02, B24B 9/20, A61K 36/00 Northeast India is home to many tribal and sub-tribal “mountain top”3. Adi tribal communities are well groups. The tribes dwelling in Arunachal Pradesh of versed with artworks and they make handicrafts out of Northeast India have a tradition of making wide range cane and bamboo for domestic use4. Some popular of crafts, and every tribe excels at craftsmanship. handicraft items are trays, baskets, haversacks, hats, Whatever craft products are made by them, the mats and headgears with artistic designs. The tribal acumen and creativity of tribes are expressed in the women possess appreciable expertise in handloom quality of such craft products. Carpets, painted wood weaving5, and they weave wide range of craft items vessels masks, bamboo products, cane crafts, wood like jackets, coats, skirts, bags blankets and shawls. carvings, weaving, jewelry and other kinds of crafts As the Arunachal Pradesh is abundant with cane and are made by the Adi tribe1,2. In the Himalayan hills of bamboo, the state is popular for cane and bamboo Nyingchi Prefecture, a major collective tribe called as handicraft articles like colourful basket mats, cane Adi, or Bangni-Bokar Lhoba people are living, and belts, attractive smoking pipes and even jewelry6,7. they dwell in the temperate and sub-tropical regions Also the tribal population uses bamboo and canes within the districts of East Siang, Upper Siang, West for house construction, household utensils, furniture, Siang and Dibang Valley. Abor is the older term tools and implements like dibbles, hunting and fishing derived from Assamese meaning ‘uncontrol’. Some of traps and weapons like bows and arrows, spears and these tribes live in Southern Tibet (a little more north armour. Shaakhsaazi communities in Kashmir make than South Tibet), in surrounding areas of the Indian basket and furniture using wicker handicraft border. The term Adi literally means “hill” or technique from seven plant species8. A study of —————— handicraft fair of Rajasthan documented 45 plants and *Corresponding author 7 animals based creative items having aesthetic, 278 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOW, JANUARY 2021 domestic and personal utility value9. Rajasthan is also protecting this kind of cultural heritage is voiced out famous for one of traditional handicrafts called by several cultural heritage experts18 not only to ‘Namdas’ one kind of coarse variety of felted wool maintain the identity of the community but also to used for traditional floor covering10. Tribal women of realize their economic advantage and other values19-21. Jeypore district of Odisha use wetland plant called In this context, the UNESCO had started “Living Bena for making around two hundred varieties of Human Treasure” Program to officially recognize the craft items which are used in socio-religious rituals talented tradition bearers and practitioners including and as modern life style accessories11. Even in fishery artisans and prevailed upon its member state countries sector a study12 revealed that the Nicobari tribe of for adoption of this program22. Thus, with this Andaman and Nicobar Islands uses traditional crafts background, in view of the relevancy and importance called Hodi which is built using indigenous trees especially in northeast region of India, the present available in island for exploitation of fish and the craft study looked into nature and kinds of indigenous and is used for 18 types of fishing practices such as traditional objects used by Adi tribe of East Siang spearing, light fishing, cast netting etc. Kom tribe of district of Arunachal Pradesh, India and also paid Manipur is good at making traditional crafts out of attention in documenting the possible threats which eight plant species, which are used in weaving may hinder traditional craftsmanship in the era of handloom. However, the tribes are experiencing globalization. constraints in making indigenous artistic works due challenges posed modernization and open markets13. Study area In spite of emerging challenges, still, the traditional The present study was carried out in East Siang handicrafts are thriving at various parts of the globe. district of Arunachal Pradesh during August and For instance, in Balkan countries i.e., Greece, September 2019. The district is located at 28.07°N Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, rump 95.33°E in the central part of Arunachal Pradesh Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and Bosnia (Fig. 1) and the district is a part of the Middle Herzegovina, also, more than 11 plant species are Himalayas and the Siwalik ranges. The Adi people are being used for making mats, wood articles, rugs and one of the most populous groups of indigenous basketry14. In Southern Spain, a study15 has revealed, peoples in the state. Their faiths and beliefs and their a well-preserved collection of 138 basketry items material culture are linked with surrounding natural were made exclusively from olive tree by a local bio-resources23. The Pasighat town is the oldest town craftsman. Thus, both national and international in Arunachal Pradesh – established in 1911 A.D and studies reveals the potentials of indigenous craft items is the headquarter of the East Siang District. In June in contributing to socio-economy and cultural heritage 2017, Pasighat became one of the cities under Smart of the indigenous people. Cities Mission development scheme of the In fact, the value and significance of such Government of India. The purposively selected intangible cultural heritage of worldwide tribal village Runne inhibited by Adi tribe is situated about community is recognized by the UNESCO and 13 Km away from Pasighat town. Based on primary subsequently passed a convention in 2003 to protect data complied during the study, the village has a intangible cultural heritage i.e., “the practices, geographical area of 208 ha with a total population of representations, expressions, knowledge, skills—as 308 persons. About 91% of villagers primarily well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural dependent on agriculture and allied activities and 40% spaces associated therewith—that communities and of its total area is covered by the forest. In this village, groups16. The purpose of that convention is to create the population comprised of 176 females compared to awareness about the importance of such indigenous only 132 males. Out of the total (44) households products and the respect and mutual appreciation of (HH), Radio sets were possessed by 40 HH, and the associated people and their culture17. There is a television sets were found in 33 HH while all the HH need to identify this kind of heritage and protect them had mobile phones. especially in an era of globalization coupled with tremendous unprecedented economic change, failing Methodology which such heritage may likely to disappear slowly The term ‘material culture’, in widespread but surely. In view of its importance, the need for scholarly usage is generally referred as any material PANDEY et al.: INDIGENOUS ARTIFACTS OF ADI TRIBE 279 object (e.g. bamboo baskets, cane furniture etc.) or group of material objects that can be touched, handled and used for carrying out social activities by the people. The primary concern of the studies on material culture is focused on the mutual relations between people and the object and more