Sunday, May 26 , 2002		Books

India’s land of Rising Sun
Kuldip Kalia

Arunachal Pradesh; Land of the Rising Sun
by Ram Chandra Chutia. Guwahati. Spectrum Publications Pages .ix + 191. Rs 240.

DO you remember the area which was popularly known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) before 1962? From the strict constitutional point, it was then part of Assam. Here is one more hint. It became the 24th state of the Indian Union in 1987. On three sides, it is surrounded by the international border. Most of its terrain is mountainous except the sub-montane range sloping down to the plains of Assam. Oh! rightly guessed, it is Arunachal Pradesh, which is the ‘land of the rising Sun’ to the author but a land of the ‘Down-lit Mountainous’ to many others.

It is a land of 26 major tribes but the districts of Lower and Upper Subansiri are predominantly inhibited by the Hill Miris. At the time of building the village, ‘safety’ from the enemies ‘was always taken in view and that is why the concept of ‘fortified village’ was widely prevalent. It has become meaningless or insignificant after Independence. ‘Lutsulu’ in their native tongue, but ‘wall’ in common language, around a village with bamboo paling stones and logs used to prevent easy entry of enemies.

There was hardly anything that could be called ‘systematic’ layout or design but the priest of the village had a definite say. Whenever and wherever any site was selected for either binding or rebuilding the village, the priest was always consulted. Earlier, one person from each house was invited to help in making a house but now this tradition is rapidly disappearing. However, it is still prevalent in the plains of upper Assam

Lokpu–a common place to sit— was in fact a wooden place. They usually built it outside houses where children, youth, women and elderly people could sit to either while away time or to discuss some issues.

Polygamy still exists. A man is allowed to have more than one wife. They are ‘obtained’ at the cost of ‘mithuns’. It appears strange but remains a fact that the ‘Mithun’, which is otherwise the price of pride, has always played a significant role in marriages. At times even the first wife may suggest another marriage for her husband. The main cause appears to be the need for more hands for working in the fields, though the tradition is disappearing. However, in no way should this suggest that women enjoyed an inferior status in the society. Pregnant women were treated well and asked to avoid eating all kinds of animals, particularly dog-meat or flesh of reptiles. Bird meat was also prohibited.

Women in the area are known for their hard work, courage, conviction and character. ‘Betrayal’ is perhaps unthinkable. That is why their mixing with ‘nipak’, an outsider, is never prohibited. However, the society is not free from evils like adolescent marriages, which keep a majority of the girls from education. Unfortunately, they (girls) are thought to be born for ‘serving’ men folk. Undoubtedly, the so-called modern society, economic and social developments and many other factors do have an impact on such undesirable traditions, thereby leading to development in the positive direction. Today they have all modern machines.

Name any beer — rice beer, maize, banana, millet or any other cereal — all are found in this society. In their religious ceremonies, the flesh of mithun, cow, pig or fowl is used. In earlier days, milking cows was never their cup of thought but now (things in other words) the thinking has changed. Just as a family without children is incomplete, no house can be without pigs and fowls. They are dear to them. The use of tobacco is almost a part of life. Both men and women smoke. Like smoking, music is also liked by all. The Hungo, the Tal, Pipa, Bubu and Gugu are their musical instruments. For dance, they use the Tal and the Hungi. In fact, for every occasion they have a particular dance, such as the war dance or the marriage dance.

Let us turn to the warfare account of the Hill Miris for the war front is on intrinsic part of their civilisation, culture and history. They are known for their excellence in guerrilla warfare.

All tribes have their own customs and traditions for performing the last rites, but the Juglis, who live in the district of Tirap, have a very interesting "belief". They think that the maker of a coffin comes to know about the sins committed by the dead person from the kind of wood. If the wood is found to be harder than usual, the dead man had committed more sins.

It would not be out of context to quote what Padi Lailong (who helped the Indian Administration during the period of misunderstanding and is also known as ‘king of the forest’) replied when the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, asked him to express his desire. He said, "I think you love your daughter very much; the love you have for your daughter, kindly have the same love for us, the people of NEFA". This, in fact, reflects the aspirations of the people. Likewise there are many other things, which one can learn from the experience of the author. The subject certainly requires better and more elaborate treatment from the author in future.