The Great Unknown !

The Great Unknown ! How do you describe Arunachal Pradesh ? Blessed with Eternal Beauty of mountains , rivers and forests and unique tribes .......one has to look for words to actually describe ....

Exploring this state is going to be a experience which I would term as a discovery for us citizens who have looked for destinations which are in the normal tourist map....

82% of the state is covered with forests.....and in this century where we have started to realise the evils of pollutions in different forms ......Arunachal Pradesh is a eye opener for us all.....There are 26 tribes and many sub tribes. Each tribe is diverse with their traditions and culture. 

Arunachal has 26 major tribes and many sub-tribes living in 3649 scattered villages. Although a number of tribal groups constitue 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. They have a rich cultural heritage. The People are simple, friendly and hospitable. Their colourful festivals are manifestations of their faith and belief. The society is patriachal 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 members constituting these organisations are selected by the people. 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.

The WANCHOS inhabit the south-western 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. 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. Many of them are Vaishnavites. 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.

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. They are Buddhists. 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. The Khamptis are good craftsmen, enterprising traders and skilful 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 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.

It is by the manner of hair doing that the Idus (Chulikatas) are distinguished from other tribes. The front hair is combed down on the brow and then cut straight across from ear to ear. The back hair is collected in a knot.

The Mijis (Kamans) live in the Lohit district, east of the Taraons. Their 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, specially the 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. 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. They are exogamous. Dances are very popular among the Adis. Ponung is their traditional dance, which is also religious in character. 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.

The most striking features of the Padam and Minyong society are their highly organized political institution represented by the Kebang or village council and the dormitory. They are forward looking, active and expert weavers. Along the international frontier in the Tuting area live the KHAMBAS. They are Buddhists and lovers of dance. The Membas are found along the northern border of Upper Siang district. They are by religion Buddhist. To the north along the banks of the Sipi river extends the country of the TAGINS. They are also sometimes known as Moyas because of their preference for the shady mountain for their villages. Agriculture is their main occupation. 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.

The Apatamis 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. They have a stable agricultural economy. 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. 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. They are good traders. The Khowas (Bugun) occupy 7 villages in Teilga and Bichum valley in the neighbourhood of the Sherdukpens.Buddhism influences the Buguns.

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). 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 .

Arunachal Pradesh is a land of beautiful handicrafts comprising a wide variety. Artistic craftmanship has been passed on from one generation to the other and sense of aesthetics has been manifested through a variety of crafts such as weaving, painting, pottery, smithy work, basket making etc.

From the viewpoint of the art and culture the  state may be very conveniently divided into three zones. The first of these zones includes the Buddhist tribe; the second occupies the central part (from east Kameng in the west to Lohit in the east); and the third zone is the eastern part of the territory.

The people of the first zone make beautiful masks. They periodically stage pantomimes and masked dances. They also make exquisite painted wooden vessels and silver articles. Carpet making is a speciality of the Monpas, the Buddhist community. Carpets with exotic designs of dragons, geometric and floral patterns are made here. Carpet weaving has today become a major occupation of the womenfolk and with an increase in demand, production of the carpets is now being undertaken on a large scale.

Those of the second zone are expert workers in cane and bamboo. The cane and bamboo industry of the state has made a name for itself. As a matter of fact most of the domestic requirements are made of these materials. hats, baskets, canes vessels, cane belts - woven and plain, bamboo mugs and carvings, a wide variety of ornaments and jewellery items are all crafted by workmen. The shawls and jackets, shoulder bags and coats all stand for the perfection that the people have attained in this art.



The people of the third zone are famous for their wooden carvings. The Monpa wood carver scoopes out beautiful cups, dishes and fruit bowls and magnificent ceremonial masks for dances and pantomimes. Another tribe that is framed for this art is the Khamptis who carve out beautiful religion images, figures of dancers, toys and other objects. They weave beautiful bags and loin cloths too. Goat's hair, ivory, boar's tus, beads of agate and the stones as well as of brass and glass are specialities of the people of this zone.

Weaving is the occupation of the womenfolk throughout the territory. They have an excellent sense of colour. The basic colours that dominates the weaves are black, yellow dark blue, green and scarlet - all put together in the most fascinating combinations. Originally natural dyes were used which today have given away to synthetic dyes.



The designs are essentially geometric varying from a formal arrangement to lines and bands. Items that could make excellent buys are Sherdukpen shawls, Apatani jackets and scarve, Adi skirts, jackets and bags, Mishmi shawls, blouses and jackets; and Wancho bags.
Crafting ornaments is another art widely practised by the Arunachalis. Besides multicoloured  beads, feathers of birds and wings of the green beetles are also used as embellishments. The Akas make bamboo bangles and earings which are occassionally decorated with pokerwork designs. Paper making, smithy work, carpentry, pottery and ivory work aare the other crafts practised by the Arunachalis. The Monpas make paper locally, from pulp of trees called Sukso or the other paper tress. This hand made paper is used for writing religious prayers on them. Hunting, fishing also form the subsidiary occupations. With a view to help developing arts and crafts and to substantiate the livelihood of the people, local boys and girls are imparted training in specially set up crafts centres. The rich heritage of art and crafts of Arunachal Pradesh is sure to add colour to the cultural heritage of the country.