Arunachal Pradesh - the abode of Adi group of tribes is the Land of Rising Sun or the Land of the Dawn Lit Mountains and a part of Eastern Himalayan Ranges situated on the Northern-East tip of India and borders Bhutan, China, Myanmar and the state of Assam. The ever green wooded forests with streams, rivers meandering through mountains offer the cooling tranquility and scenic beauties where every morning the sunrise spreads its golden carpet first. The Adi are divided into a number of groups such as Minyong, Karko, Shimong, Janbo, Pangis, Pailibos, Bogum, Padams, Milangs etc. The Adis by nature are democratic and have organised village council called Kebang.
Their traditional dance called 'Ponung' is famous in the whole Arunachal Pradesh. Adi villages are situated generally on the spurs of hills. Polyandry is unknown but polygamy is practised.
It is only in 16 century, the history of Arunachal Pradesh gained coherence from the legends and traditions under the rules of Ahom Kings of Assam. Originally known as North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) it came under the control of the British when they subjugated Assam from the Ahom kings. The British declared the place as off-limits in 1873 till the eve of World War II. Following independence of India, the government prepared the tribes to cope up with the modern world and introduced village democracy in preparation of a statewide legislation. In 1971 NEFA was renamed to Arunachal Pradesh and in 1972 it became a union territory. On 20 February 1987, it was declared as the 24 state of the Indian union. |
