Mythologies of the Adi Tribes

The Adi tribes are one of the most populous groups of indigenous peoples in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. A few thousand are also found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where they are called the Lhoba together with some of the Nyishi people, Na people, Mishmi people and Tagin people. They live in a region of the Southern Himalayas which falls within the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Mainling, Lhunze, Zayu, Medog, and Nyingchi counties in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The present habitat of the Adi people is heavily influenced by the historic location of the ancient Lhoyu. They are found in the temperate and sub-tropical regions within the districts of Siang, East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Shi Yomi and Namsai within Arunachal Pradesh. The term "Adi" however, is not to be confused with the Lhoba people, since the Lhoba also includes the Mishmi along with the Adi people. All the ethnic groups recognizing themselves as "Adi" are believed to be descendants of the Abutani/Abotani. The older term Abor is an exonym from Assamese and its literal meaning is "independent". The literal meaning of adi is "hill" or "mountain top". The Adi live in hill villages, each traditionally keeping to itself, under a selected chief styled Gam or Gao Burra who moderates the village council, which acts even as the traditional court, referred to as a Kebang. The olden day councils consisted of all the village elders and decisions were decided in a Musup/Dere (village community house).

Adi, meaning “hill man” or “man of hill”, is a large tribe inhabiting the unspoiled valleys of the Brahmaputra River during its course in South Tibet. In Occupied Tibet, they are referred to as the Lhoba people but remain recognized by the government of China. With no written records, myths say that the Adis migrated from East and Southeast Asia. Early outsiders referred to them as Abor, meaning ‘uncontrolled or savage’, due to the tribe’s reputation as fierce warriors. This view of the tribe’s primitiveness was however detested by notable anthropologist Verrier Elwin, who described the tribe to be highly cultured and civilized, if one was to go by their philosophy of life and existential issues. Without seeing an ocean ever, the Adis devised the idea of a primeval ocean from which all things have emerged. The tribe, like other major tribes, is divided into sub-groups; Minyong and Gallong, which are in turn divided into various clans and subclans. This is quite remarkable as the various groups of Adis trace a different identity within the confines of the tribe. An early scholar writes, “Among their neighbors, Adis are perhaps the most forward-looking and a people of very independent character. An Adi is energetic, jolly, freedom-loving… and plain spoken. Boris and Ashings have certain abandonment about them but have indomitable spirits. They are free, casual and independent. The Palibo and Ramo youth look bright, with smiling faces and dominating self-respect. Bokars are most disciplined and self-contained, who give impression of being men of the world. The Shimongs, Pasis and Padams are energetic. The Minyongs have great solidarity.” The Adis show a remarkable sense of artistry and proficiency in weaving, which Elwin described as “The Adi art is almost entirely confined to the decorations of their own persons, that is to say, it is expressed in the wearing of fabrics, the making of hats, and the forging of ornaments.” It is again remarkable to notice a great diversity of textile patterns in the various clans of the tribe.

The Adi are subsistence farmers who live in the foothills of the Himalayas in the far north east of India. Even today, many of the tribe have never met a European - their home is in Arunachal Pradesh which, until recently, was the only Indian state which was closed to foreigners. The Adi enjoy considerable control over their own affairs and development and benefit from state government initiatives set up to preserve tribal culture. Yet globalization and the lure of the modern world is increasingly having an impact on the Adi and the other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Adi, or Bangni-Bokar Lhoba people [1] is a major collective tribe living in the Himalayan hills of Nyingchi Prefecture, and they are found in the temperate and sub-tropical regions within the districts of East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang and Dibang Valley. The older term Abor is a deprecated exonym from Assamese meaning ‘uncontrol’. Some of them are found in Southern Tibet (a little more north than South Tibet), around areas near the Indian border. The literal meaning of Adi is “hill” or “mountain top”. The Adis have two main divisions, (The Bogums and Bomis) and under each there are a number of sub-tribes. the Minyonfs, Karkos, Shimongs, Bomdo, Janbos, Panggis, Palibos, Bogums, Padams, Milangs and so on from one group; while the Gallong and seven other groups constitute another group of Adis. The Adis by nature are democratic and have an unique sense of history. They have well organised village council called ‘Kebang’. Their traditional dance called ‘Ponung’ is famous in the whole of Arunachal Pradesh. Dances are very popular among them. Adi villages are situated generally on the spurs of hills. Polyandry is unknown but polygamy is practised. Adi women are very good weavers and weave cloth with highly artistic designs. The Adi tribes trace their origin from Pedong Nane. Pedong Nane was the great grand daughter of Sedi Melo the creator. The Adi is one of the important tribes of the Siang Frontier Division. The Siang Frontier Division is the home of the Adis. The Adis are divided into different groups, such as Padam, Minyong, Shimong, Pangis, Pasi, Asing, Bori, Bokar, Karko, Ramo, Milan, Tagin, Gallong, Tangam and Pailiba. Racially the Adi tribes belong to the Mongoloid stock with well-built features.

The Adi tribe are one of the most populous groups of indigenous peoples in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. A few thousand are also found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where they are called the Lhoba together with some of the Nishi people, Na people, Mishmi people and Tagin people. They live in a region of the Southern Himalayas which falls within the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Mainling, Lhunze, Zayu, Medog, and Nyingchi counties in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The present habitat of the Adi people is heavily influenced by the historic location of the ancient Lhoyu. They are found in the temperate and sub-tropical regions within the districts of Siang, East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Shi Yomi and Namsai within Arunachal Pradesh. The term “Adi” however, is not to be confused with the Lhoba people, since the Lhoba also includes the Mishmi along with the Adi people. All the ethnic groups recognizing themselves as “Adi” are believed to be descendants of the Abutani/Abotani. The older term Abor is an exonym from Assamese and its literal meaning is “independent”. The literal meaning of adi is “hill” or “mountain top”.

The Adi are justly proud of their history. The Himalayan hill tribe’s reputation as fierce warriors, and the inhospitable terrain in which they live, have ensured the survival of Adi culture for centuries. But change is coming fast as technology, ideas – and beliefs – from outside start to take hold in even the most remote Adi villages. The Adi are subsistence farmers who live in the foothills of the Himalayas in the far north east of India. Even today, many of the tribe have never met a European – their home is in Arunachal Pradesh which, until recently, was the only Indian state which was closed to foreigners. The Adi enjoy considerable control over their own affairs and development and benefit from state government initiatives set up to preserve tribal culture. Yet globalization and the lure of the modern world is increasingly having an impact on the Adi and the other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The Adi live in a wild and beautiful area. There are more than 500 species of orchid here; elephants, tigers and leopards live in the abundant forest, along with the white-browed gibbon, civets, the sloth bear, the Himalayan black bear, the red panda and many species of deer. The 100,000-strong Adi are one of 25 major tribes who live in the state, along with a number of sub-tribes. The name Adi means ‘hill man’. The tribe divides into two main divisions – the Bogum and Onai – each of which is subdivided. There is a highly developed system of democracy and all major decisions in a village are taken by the Kebang (village council) only after full consultation with all members of the tribe.

Padam is a sub-tribe of the Adi tribe of Abotani clan which speaks one of the Sino-Tibetan languages. Padam makes up 30–35% of the Adis and are the strongest sub-tribe of the Adis. They were a nomadic warrior race and used to had a reputation as fierce warrior by pre colonial period, they are believed to have migrated to present Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet. They were also known by the name Bor Abors in the past by their Assam counterparts and the British government. They inhabits in the region of upper siang, east siang, lower Dibang valley and parts of Lohit and Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh. Padam men wear different varieties of clothes and costumes. Traditional clothing for men includes red, blue,brown or black coats with various designs & patterns mostly Tibetan manufactured and a cotton cloth on the bottom, varieties of bamboo helmets decorated with boar teeth, bear hairs or red-dyed yak tails, and naturally colored stones worn as a necklace called tadok. Men may also carry different varieties of yoksa (Tibetan swords) and daggers with tigers’ teeth attached to the strap of the sword. Padam women wear a gale on top of their heads, a black cotton cloth with gale on the bottom, and necklaces called sondorong as part of their traditional dress.

The Adi is one such tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. They are believed to have come from southern china in the 16th century. They reside in the far north and have different sub-tribes, which differ from each other in many ways and custom. If you travel far inside the tribal settlement areas, you will find all these tribes, but visiting all of them in one short visit might not be possible. On route to one of the most interesting tribal villages called the Adi-Pasi, you can see the hanging bridge on the Siang River. It’s a cane and bamboo bridge around 200 – 250ft long connecting to the other hill tribes. The Adis are experts at making cane and bamboo items. About 500 people of the Adi tribe come from Adi Pasi. Living in a remote area like this, the tribe has to be totally self-sufficient. Villagers cook fish and rats for dinner; in fact rats are a local delicacy here. Also fishing is a necessary activity among the tribe. Dances form a vital element in the zest and joy of living of the tribe; dances are performed on important rituals, during festivals and occasionally also for recreation. They vary from highly stylised religious dance dramas of the Buddhists to the martial steps and colourful performances of the Noctes and Wanchos. Popir is the indigenous dance of the Adi tribe. Among the Adis, dance has evolved almost into an art form mainly for entertainment and recreation. Teams of young girls in perfect rhythmic unison perform the ‘Phoning’ dance of Adis. Nishis and Tagins of Upper and Lower Subansiri Districts perform similar group dance in colourful costumes.

India is a vast land where almost all the tribes and subtribes of people of Asia have got their way to life from time immemorial. Among so many, the Adi tribe or Abor Tribe is one. It is a populous group of indigenous people in Arunachal Pradesh, India. A few thousand Adi people live in the Tibet Autonomous Region (formerly Tibet). They are called Loba, together with the Nishi, Na, Galo, Mishmi people and Tagin people. They live in a region of the southern Himalayas that falls under the Menling, Lunze, Zhayu, Medog and Ningchi counties of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The present-day residence of the Adi people is strongly influenced by the historical location of ancient Lhouu. They are found in the temperate and sub-tropical regions of Siang, East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Shi Yomi and Namsai districts within Arunachal Pradesh. However, the word “Adi” is not to be confused with the Loba people, as the Loba includes the Mishmi along with the Adi people. All ethnic groups identifying themselves as “Adi” are descendants of Abutani/Abotani. The old word Abor is a synonym of Assamese and literally means “free”. Adi literally means “hill” or “top of the mountain”.

Adi Tribe constitute a major tribal group and inhabit the lower part of Lower Dibang Valley district of the state of Arunachal Pradesh especially Roing and Dambuk areas. The sub tribes forming this major group speak a common dialect, claim a common origin and also perform and celebrate same rituals and festivals. Adi tribe is mainly concentrated in the valleys of rivers. The Adi tribes are known for their amiable and simple nature. The Adi tribes trace their origin from Pedong Nane. Pedong Nane was the great granddaughter of Sedi Melo the creator. The Adi is one of the important tribes of the Siang Frontier Division. The sub tribal communities collectively forming the Adi tribe belong under two divisions namely the Bomis and Bogums. The major sub-tribal communities that Adi tribe includes are the Padams, Milangs, Komkars, Minyongs and Pasis. Another group of the Adi tribes comprises sub-tribal communities like Galo and seven other groups. Racially the Adi tribes belong to the Mongoloid stock with well-built features. The fairs and festivals of the Adi tribe reflect their rich culture and heritage. Their main festivals are Solung, Etor and Aaran. Huge feasts are hosted, offerings are made to deities. Songs and dances are performed in these occasions. Dances performed are in-group lead by a main singer (Miri). Popular dances are the Ponung, Delong, Yakjong and Tapu, which is in-fact, a war dance. Ponung is however most common of all the dances. It is an integral part of the lifestyle of Adi tribes. They have adopted their own style of dancing. The Adi tribes are very fond of dances. They perform group dances. The dancers are linked to one another in a certain manner by the hands, by the waist or the shoulders. The main movements of the dance are confined to legs, arms and central part of the body. The Adis live on the high spurs of hills.