The word Mishmi is very much common or popular in the province of Assam since Pre-British periods probably because of Mishmi Tita. The Mishmi Tita is a kind of plant grow wild in the Mishmi hill and; utilized as typical medicine mainly in case of dysentery, stomach trouble etc during those days. It is an important medicine not for the Mishmis but also for the people of whole area of North Eastern region.
There are three sub-tribes of the Mishmis namelyIdu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi and Miju-Mishmi. When I had been posted at Lohit District, home land of the Mishmis, I wanted to know them in detail. Hence, I proposed officially to make an ethnographic study on them. The Mishmis demanded that there is no difference in the culture except the language. The differentiation of language is a question for all though a few author sites hypothesis which is yet to be established. I am not concern with the language of the people though it comes under the purview of culture or ethnographic study. All the three subtribes are located in different locations in the hilly terrain. Further, they had little contact with each other in early days, then why there will not be difference in cultural activities? It is a fact that there may not be difference in major activities outwardly like in case of marriage system, maintenance of the family etc but in case of micro-study of the society of one sub-tribe would reveal the difference among the sub-tribes. This point made me another interest to know the culture of the Miju-Mishmis though I was not going to make a comparative study of the sub-tribes. But I sincerely kept my mind to collect data in the above points; accordingly the materials of the typical culture included in this book had been collected during the period from 2002 to 2006. The materials of some Deptts to show the development and possible affects on them had also been included separately.
I got tremendous help from one of the Miju-Mishmis whose name must be mentioned here otherwise I shall be looked down myself. This is Mr. K.K.Lum Pul. The other friends like Mr. Somodang Tawsik, Soprow Kri etc could not be forgotten at all. The book or booklet whatever it is based on completely on field materials. I would like to mention here about my past experience that normally questions raised from the people of the studied community that he or she has not come across the material as mentioned in the book. It is not the fault of the person concerned as the way in which a particular activity mentioned in the book may not be observed in his or her locality or village. If the elites of the community have more information obviously welcome to focus for the benefit of the community. It is also a fact that I have written here whatever my informant said, if some doubt comes to my mind I always made a cross examine. I believe that the experiences of a person from childhood to present stage represent the tribe or community, so due weight age is given on such experiences.
Before conclude I offer my grateful thanks and sincere regards to the Director of Research Dr. Tage Tada for giving me permission to study the tribe and insisting me to do the work as soon as possible. Dr. D.K.Duarah, former Assistant Director of Research (Culture), who went throw the manuscript of the book is a colleague of not forgotten. Further, thanks due to Shri T. Norbu DDRC for his consent to publish the book. Equally, my gratefulness goes to Mr. R.N. Koley for his writing efforts in bringing out the book. I intend to extend my deep sense of gratitude to Shri S. Kri, Editor State Gazetteer to review the book through.
My colleague officer Shri R.KSingh DLIO, Shri Karna, Mr. Mafelum Chikro, Mr. Ananda Kri, Mrs. Lahanglu Pul always come forward to discuss when ever I like to discuss any question anused on the culture and it proved fruitful to me in writing the book. Meanswhile, I offer my thanks to my friend Shri P.K. Barman, MA,MHR, LLM for his substantial assistance during the preparation of the work.
Thanks again to the persons who helped and co-operated during the period of my study whose names are of course not mentioned herewith.
Further, I would like to record the encouragement received from my wife Smti Seema and son Ajay in this task.
The Land:-The Miju-Mishmis or Kamans are one of the three sub tribes of the Mishmis inhabit the present Lohit and Anjaw districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The two other subtribes are Idu or Chulikata Mishmis and Digaru Mishmis or Taroan live in the Debang valley and Lower Debang valley Districts and Lohit and Anjaw Districts respectively.
The Mishmis are one of the 25 tribes of Arunachal Pradesh scattered over the mountainous terrain of the over 17 districts with a population of 31329 as per 1991 census report. These tribes have their own culture, costume, language and traditions, and live happily and prosperously mingle with the ecology and environment of their respective places of habitations.
The state of Arunachal Pradesh is situated in a strategic place on the extreme north-eastern part of the union of India bounded by the Mac-Mohan Line and Inner Line, having varied topography and ecology with the elevation of the mountainous terrain.
Prior to Indian independence on 15th August 1947, the present Arunachal Pradesh was known as NEFA with three sections namely i) Central and Eastern Section ii) The Lakhimpur Frontier Tract iii) The Western Section. In 1919 the Central and Eastern Sections were renamed as Sadiya Frontier Tract which later on in 1948 divided in two parts as (Adi) Abor Hill district and the Mishmi Hill districts. In 1954 the North Eastern Frontier Tract was renamed as NEFA (North East Frontier Agency) alongwith changing of nomenclature of the Administrative division. The Mishmi Hill became known as Lohit Frontier Division with its Headquarters at Tezu which was subsequently name as Lohit District in 1965.
In 1972 NEFA was renamed as Arunachal Pradesh on 28 January with a U.T. status and in 1987 became the 24" states of Republic of India. Thus by fulfill a long standing inspiration of the tribal people.
The Lohit District so created was continued till 1" June 1980 on which it was bifurcated into two districts namely Lohit and Dibang Valley Districts under reorganization of the District of Arunachal Pradesh for administrative convenience and balance development.
The name Lohit is derived from the river Lohit (Tellu).
There are a number of myths and legend associated with the river-Lohit with the Mohabharat on Parasurama's matricide. The district is cress-cross by other rivers like Digaru, Noa-dihing, Kamlang etc.
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