Miji

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 [cite book|title=Tribes of North East India: Spectrum of Changes|author=Sudhanshu Bikash Saha|year=1997|publisher=Rupali Publishing|pages=35|isbn=] counterparts, 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 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. [cite book|title=Traditional Jewelry of India|author=Oppi Untracht|year=1997|publisher=Harry N. Abrams, Inc.|pages=139|isbn=0810938863] Indigenous 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. [cite book|title=Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: Identity, Culture, and Languages|author=Dalvindar Singh Grewal|publisher=South Asia Publications|year=1997|pages=53|isbn=8174330194] 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. [cite book|title=The Anthropology of North-East India: A Textbook|author=Tanka Bahadur Subba, G. C. Ghosh|year=2003|publisher=Orient Longman|pages=289|isbn=8125023356]

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.

References

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.
* [http://www.future.org/pages/03_country_programs/2_india/013_arunachal_in_depth.html FutureGenerations, India, Arunachal Pradesh, In Depth]

External links

* [http://siris-archives.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=new&menu=search&aspect=power&npp=10&ipp=20&profile=all&ri=&index=.GW&term=Miji+http+image&oper=and&aspect=power&index=.AW&term=&oper=and&index=.SW&term=&oper=and&index=.TW&term=&limit=LO01+%3D+naa&sort=3100014&x=12&y=9#focus Old photos of the Miji tribe]
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=sjl Ethnologue profile]
* [http://www.webindia123.com/arunachal/festivals/festival5.htm WebIndia123 reference]