Nishi (Tribe)
The
Nishi tribe principally inhabit the
Indian state of
Arunachal Pradesh. Known as the Nishi (alternative transliteration
Nisi) in their own language (also called
Nisi), they are sometimes called by the disdainful term
Dafla by outsiders.
They inhabit in the
Papumpare,
East Kameng and
Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in the
Darrang district of
Assam. Their population of around 120,000 thus making up one of the most populous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, consisting about 11% of the state's population. As they are of the
Tibetan stock, their language belong to the
Tibeto-Burman family.
Most Nishi do not like the idea of intermarriage between the other neighbouring tribes, and
Polygamy is prevalent among the Nishi.They trace their descent
patrilineally and are divided into several clans.
The Nishi are agriculturalists. The Jhum, which is a form of shifting cultivation, is practised among the Nishi. The principal crops raised include
paddy and
millet.
Rice is the
staple food of the people supplemented by
fish,
meat of various animals,
edible tubers and
leafy vegetables. A drink known as Apong is locally made from
millet.
The Nishi plait their hair and tie it neatly with Tibetan thread at the forehead, and a brass skewer passed horizontally through the tied hair. They used to wear cane rings round the waist, arms and legs. The men used to wear a cane helmet surmounted with the beak of the Great Indian Hornbill, with additional decorations depending upon the status of person, as a symbol of manly valour.
The clothing of the men consists of a sleeveless shorts made from thick cotton cloth, striped gaily with blue and red together with a mantle of cotton or woolen fastened around the throat and shoulders. Strings made of beads in varying sizes and colours were also worn, mainly for decoration purposes. They used to carry a Dao (short sword) and a
knife in a bamboo sheath. Their armament consists of spear with iron-head, a large sword, and a bow with arrows, tipped with poison on it. During a war, both the chest and back are covered with the Mithun hide and over it they wear a black cloak made of indigenous fibre.
The Nishi women generally wear a sleeveless mantle of striped or plain cloth, its upper part tucked tightly over the breast and enveloping the body from the armpits to the centre of the calves. A ribbon is tied at the waist. A girdle consisting of metal disks and cane garters is worn at the waist. Their hair is parted in the middle, plaited and tied into a chignon just above the nape. Their ornaments include multicoloured bead necklaces, brass chains, metal bells, huge brass or silver earrings and heavy bracelets of mixed metals.
Most Nishi are loyal followers of the
Donyi-Polo faith, a religion which commemorates their ancestors, emphasises a belief in many spirits and superstitions, and includes religious rituals which coincide with lunar phases or agricultural cycles.
Abo-Teni is revered by Donyi-Polo followers as the primal ancestor of the
animist tribes of Tibetan or quasi-Tibetan origin. The religious festival of Longte Yullo is celebrated in April.
Among the Nishi, there are currently approximately 6,000 converted
Christians, considered "spiritually weak" by their brethren, most of whom are concentrated in
Itanagar. Small groups of
Hindus and
Buddhists also exist among the Nishi. Both
Polyandry and
Polygyny are practised by the Nishi, with a rich man having as many as eight wives.
The Nishi, who traditionally wear cane helmets surmounted by the crest of a hornbill beak, have considerably affected the hornbill population.
Several organizations, such as the
Arunachal Wildlife and Nature Foundation and the
Wildlife Trust of India, have been trying to stop the Nishi hunting these birds in order to protect them from extinction. Nature reserves, such as the Pakke Sanctuary, are being set up to protect the birds, while artificial materials, such as fibreglass, have being introduced as an alternative to the hornbill beak in Nishi dress. While the
Bopa ceremony is an important part of Nishi tradition, and the campaign has faced stiff opposition, the Nishi have recognised the possibility of the extinction of the Great Indian Hornbill, and 70% of the Nishi have already accepted this new idea.
*
NISI language*
Glimpses Of Arunachal Pradesh*
Nishi Nyubu Priests*
North East Frontier*
From a Cocoon, with Hope*
Ethnologue profile, old profile [
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