Khowa

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Khoa redirects here. For the foodstuff, see Khoa (food)

The Khowa, also known as Bugun in their native tongue,^[1] refers to a tribal group in India. They live mainly in the subtropical Tenga circle in the sub-dividsions of Wanghoo, Kaspi, Singchung and Tenga within the Bichum and Tenga circles of West Kameng district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. According to the native legend, they believed that they are the descendants of the Achinphumphulua tribe. They speak the Bugun language.

Acting as a basis of their livehood, shifting cultivation is practiced and domestic animals such as cow, horse, pig, sheep, goat, fowl and the mithun are reared. To enrich their diet, wild animals are hunted using simple spears, traps, bows and arrows.

Together with the Miji and Aka, long hair is kept by some in the both sexes. While the both sexes adorn themselves with silver ornaments, the men wear a very long white garment and a very high hat, resembling a Turkish Fez. The women wear a skull cap, sometimes decorated with beautiful patterns. Purple and heckered jackets are worn as well, usually accompanied by another singlet.

The Khowa are followers of the Donyi-Polo religion^[2] and have came under Tibetan Buddhist influence from the neighbouring Sherdukpen. Profound Buddhist influence has led to the adoption of many Buddhist rituals and the invitation of Buddhist lamas to participate in their communal rituals.^[3] As a result, many Khowa declared themselves as Buddhist in censuses.^[4]^[5]

Especially in the village of Sraiba, Kshyatsowai is celebrated by the Khowa, in which the Phabi priest plays an important role in conducting the ceremony and religious rituals. Songs and dances such as Clown and Gasisiu have a close affiliation with their religion.

In 2006, a rare bird Bugun Liocichla was named after the tribe.

[edit] References

^ Tribes of India
^ Dalvindar Singh Grewal (1997). Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: Identity, Culture, and Languages. South Asia Publications, 53. ISBN 8174330194.
^ Tribes of India
^ William Carey Library (2004). Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer. South Asia Publications, 135. ISBN 0878083618.
^ Shiva Tosh Das (1987). Life Style, Indian Tribes: Locational Practice. Gian Pub. House, 28. ISBN 812120058X.