Idu Mishmi Tribe:
The Idu Mishmi tribal people of Arunachal have a unique cosmology rooted in conservation.
- Idu Mishmi Tribe is one of the tribal groups who have been living primarily in the Dibang Valley, lower Dibang, and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- They primarily live in Mishmi Hills, bordering Tibet in Arunachal Pradesh.
- They can be distinctively identified by their typical hairstyle, distinctive customs and artistic pattern embedded on their clothes.
- They are known for their weaving and craftsmanship skills.
- Their language, called ‘Idu Mishmi’, is considered endangered by UNESCO.
- Traditionally animists, the tribe has strong ties with the region’s rich flora and fauna.
- Tigers are especially important to the Idu Mishmis — according to Idu mythology, they were born to the same mother, and thus, tigers are their “elder brothers”.
- Iyu-ena’: It is a strict belief system of myths and taboos that restrict them from hunting many animals, including a complete prohibition on killing tigers.
- They celebrate festivals such as Reh and Ke-Meh-Ha.
- They brew local rice beer called Ebu.
- The Idu-Mishmi society is patriarchal and patrilineal. The property is inherited by the son from the father.
