Khowa people

The Khowa, also known as Bugun in their native tongue, is a tribal group in India. They live mainly in the subtropical Tenga Valley or Singchung Administrative Circle of West Kameng district with its whole native populations under 6-Thrizino-Buragaon Assembly Constituency of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. According to the native legend, they believed that they are the descendants of the Achinphumphulua.

The Buguns are further subdivided into sections according to their specific locality (Hakhongdua, Hajidua, Braidua, Khuchundua, Hayindua). Their populations are mainly concentrated in the villages namely - Wanghoo, Dikhiyang, Bichom, Ramu, Lali, Situ, Sachida, Lichini, Ditching, Mangopam, Singchung, Namfri and Kaspi. Their immediate neighbours are Aka (Hrusso), Miji (Sajalong/Dhammai), Sherdukpen and Monpa.

Acting as a basis of their livelihood, shifting cultivation is practiced and domestic animals such as cow, horse, pig, sheep, goat, fowl and the mithun are reared. To enrich their diet, wild animals are hunted using simple spears, traps, bows and arrows.

Together with the Miji and Aka, long hair is kept by some members of both sexes. While the both sexes adorn themselves with silver ornaments, the men wear a very long white garment and a very high hat, resembling a Turkish Fez. The women wear a skull cap, sometimes decorated with beautiful patterns. Purple and checkered jackets are worn as well, usually accompanied by another singlet.

They speak Bugunish (also known as Kho-Bwa languages).

The Khowa are followers of the Donyi-Polo religion and have come under Tibetan Buddhist influence from the neighbouring ethnic group Sherdukpen. Profound Buddhist influence has led to the adoption of many Buddhist rituals and the invitation of Buddhist lamas to participate in their communal rituals. As a result, many Khowa declared themselves as Buddhist in censuses. However, animism is still profound with majority of them.

...
Wikipedia