Young Nyishi tribal women celebrate Arunachal Day with a dance

2019-04-25 11

Thanks to our viewer Monpasang for pointing out that "this song is not a Miji song but (as far as we can determine) but a Nyishi dance."

The Miji, also known by the names of Sajolang and Damai, inhabit the districts of West Kameng and East Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Their population of 5,000 are found near the lower parts of the sub-Himalayan hills bordering Assam; they speak the Tibeto-Burman language Sajalong. Combining Tibetan and Assamese ancestry, most Miji possess a reddish-red and fair complexion. Isolated from the rest of the world, they sustain their livehood through Swidden agriculture.The traditional costume of Miji women consists of an ankle-length white garment with a beautifully decorated red jacket. Like the Akas, the Miji wear silver ornaments and glass-based necklaces. Indigenous cosmetics are made from pine resin.

Most Miji are adherents of Animism, although a few have adopted Christianity. Like the Akas, the Mijis share religious affinities with the Donyi Polo faith and thus are considered adherents of Donyi Polo, although other gods are given higher veneration than Abotani. There is some Buddhist influence as a result of long standing cultural contacts with Buddhist tribes to the west. The celebration of Losars and the usage of prayer flags are some indicators Buddhist influence. Khan is the most celebrated festival of the Mijis. It is an occasion for 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. Miji Tribe, Arunachal Pradesh. It is believed that Miji Tribe was originally settled in the plains of Assam and subsequently made the hills their habitat. Mijis claim their name as Puroik. Miji resides to the north of Arunachal Pradesh. Khan is a festival celebrated by the Mijis. They are also known by the names of Sajolang and Damai. They inhabit the districts of West Kameng and East Kameng. Most of the Mijis possess a reddish-red and fair complexion.

The traditional costume of Miji women is an ankle-length white garment with a decorated red jacket. They also wear silver ornaments and glass-based necklaces. Most of them are believers of Animism though few follow Christianity. Some are also adherents of Donyi Polo. The festival of Khan is an occasion for reunion among the local community. There is a significant ceremony where the priest ties a piece of wool around everybody`s neck. It is believed that the thread will bring good luck to each one of them.

Source: Wikipedia & www.indianetzone.com

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