Aka (tribe)
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- This article is about the tribe in India. For the Pygmy tribe in Africa, see Aka (Pygmy tribe).
The Aka, also known as Hrusso, are found in the Thrinzo area in West Kameng and East Kameng of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family.
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[edit] Physical Features
Of Tibetan and Assamese origin[1], the Aka are a Southeast Asian-looking people of fair-complexion. Well built, the Aka are generally flat-nosed and prominent cheek-boned. They inhabit at regions around Thrinzo, situated at an elevation from 3000 to 6000 feet, living on the immediate western region from the Sherdukpen and east from the Nishi.
[edit] Lifestyle
For the convenience of administration, the Aka people elects a chief, who often acts the role of the village headman. Polygamy is widely practiced in their patrilineal society, and the social factor of cross-cousin marriages are accepted. Like most tribes, the Aka have an elementary caste system, the aristocrat Kutsun and the commoner Kevatsum.
The Aka practice shifting cultivation and rear domestic animals such as the Mithun. Temporary huts, accommodated by young boys, are built near the field to guard the crops from the animals. The staple food of Akas is maize and millet. They plant leaves, pulses, potato and rice. Drinks locally made from fermented maize and millet include Lao pani, Mingri and the Aarah.
The Aka live in elognated houses made from bamboo, wood and cane leaves. Raised on platforms about 6 feet above the ground, the Aka house are further sub-divided into three sections. The granary is built away from the main house.
[edit] Culture
Centuries of Vaishnavatie and intermittent Tibetan influence from the Sherdukpen has shaped the Aka culture into its modern form. Handicrafts, basket weaving and wood carving are the principal arts among the Aka tribe.
One of the most notable features of Aka arts is the Chinese design of the Jana flower, which can be often found on many of the indigenous haversacks. It is a known legend that the Jana flower represents the commemorate an ancient Tibetan king, who was believed to have led his entire life through daily reincarnations. It was also believed that he lived in an open giant palace that grew the Jana flowers every time the sun sets.
Indigenous festivals under the guidance of a village shaman such as those of the four-day Nechido festival, held in November, involves the affiliation with the natural world and community.
[edit] Costume
The Aka costume deeply reflects its indigenous culture. While both sexes keep long hair, there are distinctions in the dress within the Aka. These restrictions involve the use of the Assamese silk and the Tibetan knobbed hat, which are worn among the aristocrats.
Generally, most men wear a silky Assmaese toga, while the women wear a long, dark-red garment that covers the entire body. Indigenous lingchong cream manufactured from the pine-resin serves as the cosmetics for the Aka women. However, the interesting cane cap reaching three inches high inserted with two bird-feathers serves the highlight of the Aka costume.
Silver ornaments play another important role in the female Aka costume. Vase-shaped earrings and for the richer ones, a fillet of silver chain is worn around the head. Jade necklaces The rich Aka women wear a pretty fillet of silver chain-work round the head. Jade beads are also made into necklaces.
Face tattooing is another notable feature among some Aka. Especially in the case of the women, they tattoo their faces in a straight line from the forehead to the chin.
[edit] Religion
The Aka are followers of the Donyi-Polo religion, who believe that their primal ancestor was Abo-Teni. However, centuries of Buddhist and Hindu influences have greatly shaped the religious rites of their religion. Superstitions and magic play an important role in their belief system. Shizhou proved to be the most popular form of magic ritual among the Aka, and anybody who is angry may resort to conduct Shizhou rituals on his foe.
The rituals of Shizhou involve slaughtering a dog, draining the blood from its head, and either sprinkling a few drops of the blood onto the enemy undetected, throwing them into his house, or burning them in his hearth. If the ritual succeeds, the enemy is supposed to lose his life.
[edit] External links
| Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh | |
| Major Tribes | |
| Adi - Mishmi | |
| Standard Tribes | |
| Aka - Apa Tani - Ashing - Bori - Chikum Dui - Chugpa - Deori - Digaru - Gallong - Hill Miri - Khamba - Khampti - Khamyang - Khowa - Lhoba - Lishipa - Lisu - Padam - Palibo - Phake - Memba - Monpa - Miji - Mikir - Minyong - Miju - Mishing - Nishi - Nocte - Nga - Ran - Sherdukpen - Singpho - Sulung - Takpa - Tangsa - Tutsa - Wancho - Zekhring |
