The
population of Arunachal Pradesh India is 1,091,117 according to 2001 census
and is scattered over 12 towns and 3649 villages. India Arunachal Pradesh
has the lowest population density of 13 persons per sq. km.There are 20 major tribes and a number of sub-tribes domesticating the land of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Most of these communities are culturally identical, having derived from an original common stock but their geographical separation from each other has brought within them certain distinct characteristics in language, dress and customs.
The Cultural Groups of Arunachal Pradesh
First Group People
Widely the people of Arunachal Pradesh can be divided into three cultural groups on the basis of their socio-religious similarity. The Monpas and Sherdukpens of Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal adopts the Lamaistic ethics of Mahayana Buddhism. Marked for their religiousness, the villages of these communities of Arunachal Pradesh have elaborately decorated Buddhist temples, locally called 'Gompas'. Though people of Arunachal Pradesh are mostly agriculturists practising terrace cultivation, many of these people are also pastoral and breed herds of yak and mountains sheep. Ethnically similar to them are Membas and Khambas of Arunachal Pradesh, who live in the high mountains along the northern borders. Khamptis and Singphos domesticating the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh are Buddhists of Hinayana sect. These sects are said to have arrived from Thailand and Burma long back and still using ancient scripts inherited from their original homeland. Second Group People
The second group of the people of Arunachal Pradesh are Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bangnis, Nishis, Mishmis, Mijis, Thongsas etc.. These people generally worship Sun and Moon God namely, Donyi-Polo and Abo-Tani, the original forefathers for most of these tribes. Their religious rituals, largely come together with the phases of agricultural cycles in Arunachal Pradesh. They offer prayers to the nature deities and make animal sacrifices. These tribes of Arinachal traditionally practice jhumming or shifting cultivation. Adis and Apatanis of Arunachal Pradesh profusely practice wet rice cultivation and have a considerable agricultural economy. Apatanis of Arunachal are also known for their paddy-cum-pisciculture.
Third Group of People
The third group of people of Arunachal Pradesh comprises of Noctes and Wanchos, inhabiting the area adjoining Nagaland in the Tirap District. They are hardy people known for their strictly structured village society in which heritable village chief still plays an important role. The Noctes tribe also practise elementary form of Vaishnavism.
Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is also called the land of festivals. Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh India are an essential part of the socio-cultural lifestyle of the people. The people of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate number of festivals, which comprises of - agricultural festivals, religious festivals and socio-cultural festivals. The Arunachal Pradesh festivals are associated with the agriculture and celebrated with ritualistic enthusiasm. The festivals are celebrated in bigger scale either to thank the God for the carefulness or pray for bumper harvest.
As a matter of fact festivals reflects the real culture of the people and the society. The festivals give them plenty of opportunity to enjoy unreservedly. The festivals of Arunachal Pradesh are the occasions for the people to relax, enjoy, dance, eat and drink. The ritual part of each festival is performed by the priest and other arrangements of the festivals are done by the people in a community basis. Throughout the year festivals are celebrated by one or the other tribes.
Some of the important festivals are Mopin and Solung of Adis, Lossor of Monpas, Sherdukpens and Boori-Boot of Hill Miris, Dree of Apatanis, Si-donyi of Tagins, Nyokum of Nishis, Reh of ldu Mishimis etc. Animal sacrifice is a common ritual in most festivals.
