Miji
Encyclopedia
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, and the celebration of Losar
as well as the usage of prayer flags are some indicators of this.
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.
West Kameng
West Kameng is a district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It accounts for 8.86% of the total area of the state. Under Chinese sovereignty claim, West Kameng falls under the jurisdiction of Cuona County of Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region...
and East Kameng
East Kameng
East Kameng district is one of the 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in northeastern, India. It shares an international border with Tibet in the north, a state border with Assam and district borders with West Kameng, Papumpare and Kurung Kumey, which was bifurcated from Lower Subansiri...
in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
, India. Their population of 5,000 are found near the lower parts of the sub-Himalayan hills bordering Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
; they speak the Tibeto-Burman language Sajalong.
Combining Tibetan
Tibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
and Assamese
Assamese people
The Assamese people are a well-defined subgroup of People of Assam. Though sometimes they are defined as the Assamese-speaking Indo-Aryans of the Brahmaputra valley,, this definition is not legally binding...
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
Animism
Animism refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle....
, 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, and the celebration of Losar
Losar
Losar is the Tibetan word for "new year." lo holds the semantic field "year, age"; sar holds the semantic field "new, fresh". Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet....
as well as the usage of prayer flags are some indicators of this.
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.
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.
- FutureGenerations, India, Arunachal Pradesh, In Depth