About Adis
Even known as the Bangni - Bokar Lhoba people, this is one of the major tribal communities residing in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. This collective tribe of the north eastern state of India is mainly found in the hilly region of the sub-tropical and temperate zones of the districts of Upper Siang, East Siang, West Siang as well as the Dibang Valley. The origin of this tribal community can be traced back to Pedong Nane, who was Sedi Melo’s great grand daughter. The Frontier Division of the Siang region is said to be the age old habitat of the Adis. Racially, they belong to the stock of Mongols with sturdy features. All of them speak the language called “Adi” with little variations. This important tribal group of the north East Indian state has got 2 main sub-divisions, which are as follows and which include many other sub-tribes:
The Bomis: This division of Adis is formed of the Gallong along with 7 other sub-tribal groups.
Lifestyle of Adis
The Adis, generally, lives in hill villages that are headed by a Gaon Burra, who is a selected chief of the village. Apart from moderating the council of the designated village, the chief even acts as Kebang, the traditional court. During the earlier days, these councils used to include all the elderly people of a village and decision making was used to be done of the basis of the verdict of the majority among them. They mainly earn their livelihood from agriculture, especially the cultivation of wet rice. Besides that, hunting and trapping are the other sources of their economy. Rice is the staple food of this tribal community. The other favorite eatables are the varied preparations of rat, chickens, mithuns, vegetables as well as pigs. Kept in an unusual way, where the pig pens are positioned just below the toilets, the pigs are fed human waste. The meat of such pigs is considered to be a delicacy by them.
Religion of Adis
This tribal group of Arunachal Pradesh mostly follows the traditional animist religion of Donyi – Polo. This religion includes the worship of the Shaman, the ancestral God, the Sun and the Moon. Some of the other deities worshipped by them are Doying Bote, Gumin Soyin, Pedong Nane and Kine Nane, each of which are associated with specific tasks or nature that has direct impact on their life like home, food crops, rain and many more.
However, nowadays, many tribes have moved from this traditional religious belief to the religion of Christianity. Several youths among them have even transformed to Tibetan Buddhism.
Culture and Festivals of Adis
Innumerable festivals are being celebrated by this famous tribe of north eastern India. The famous among them is Solung, which is celebrated for at least 5 days during the 1st week of the month of September. This harvest festival is celebrated post the transplantation as well as the sowing of seeds for future crops. During this annual festival, Ponung songs are sung by the locals. Apart from that, the celebrations of this prime festival of Adis are featured with different kinds of tribal dance performances. The dance steps vary from the rustic and slow styled Ponung to the exuberant and exhilarating beats of Delong. With the belief of protecting people and the houses from wicked spirits, indigenous weaponry and throne are displayed near the houses on the last day of this festival near every house in the village.
The dance form of Tapu War is another famous dance of the area, where the performers vigorously enact the war activities so as to portray the glorious details as well as the victory of the warriors. Another form of dance, which is common among this tribal group, is Yakjong where the dancers perform the dance steps while carrying a special kind of stick. Such a stick has designs that are created by the removal of the barks in a unique manner and then putting the stick into fire so as to get a black design on it.
Last Updated on 2/23/2012
