Miji

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Miji, also known by the names of Sajolang and Damai, inhabit in the districts of West Kameng and East Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh. Their population of 5,000 are found near the lower parts of the sub-Himalayan hills bordering Assam.

Combining ancestry of their Tibetan and Assamese counterparts, most Assamese possess a reddish-red and fair complexion. Isolated from the rest of the world, they sustain their livehood through Swidden agriculture.

The traditional costume Miji women consists an ankle-length white garment with another additional external beautifully decorated red jacket. Like the Akas, the Miji also done silver ornaments and glass-based necklaces.^[1] Indigenious cosmetics are made from Pine Resin.

Most Miji are adherents of Animism, although a few have adopted Christianity. Like the Akas, the religion of the Mijis share affinities with the Donyi Polo faith and thus adherents are considered of Donyi Polo, although other gods were given higher veneration than to Abotani.^[2] Buddhist influence was a result of long standing cultural contatcs with Buddhist tribes to the west, and the celebration of Losar as well as the usage of Prayer flags are some indicators of Buddhist influence.^[3]

Khan is the most celebrated festival of the Mijis. It is an occasion for the reunion among the local community. The significance of the festival lies in a ceremony whereby the priest ties a piece of wool around everybody’s neck. The belief is that the enchanted thread will bring good luck to each one of them.

[edit] References

^ Oppi Untracht (1997). Traditional Jewelry of India. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 139. ISBN 0810938863.
^ Dalvindar Singh Grewal (1997). Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: Identity, Culture, and Languages. South Asia Publications, 53. ISBN 8174330194.
^ Tanka Bahadur Subba, G. C. Ghosh (2003). The Anthropology of North-East India: A Textbook. Orient Longman, 289. ISBN 8125023356.

[edit] Further reading

DHAR Bibhash - Planning for tribal development : A study of Miji -- Extr. de : Sequences in development in North East India (a study of tradition, continuity and change) / J.B. Bhattacharjee (Ed.), New Delhi : Omsons Publ., 1989, p. 120-123.
FutureGenerations, India, Arunachal Pradesh, In Depth