Nyishi people
A Nyishi man with a hornbill headdress
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 230,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 IndiaArunachal Pradesh, Assam |
|
| Languages | |
| Nyishi | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Animism |
The Nyishi are the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh in north-eastern India. In Nishi, their traditional language, Nyi refers to "a man" and the word shi denotes "a being", which combined together refers to a civilized human being. They are spread across seven districts of Arunachal Pradesh: Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, East Kameng, West Kameng, Papum Pare, parts of Lower Subansiri and Upper Subansiri. They also live in the Sonitpur and North Lakhimpur districts of Assam.
Their population of around 300,000 makes them the most populous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, closely followed by the combined tribes of the Adis and the Galos who were the most populous in the 2001 census. The Nyishi language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family, however, the origin is disputed.
Polygyny is prevalent among the Nyishi. It signifies one's social status and economical stability and also proves handy during hard times like clan wars or social huntings and various other social activities. This practice, however is diminishing especially with the modernization and also with the spread of Christianity. They trace their descent patrilineally and are divided into several clans.
The Nyishi are agriculturalists who practice jhum, known as rag in Nishi, which is a form of shifting cultivation. The principal crops raised include paddy (unmilled rice), tapio (maize), mekung (cucumber), takie (ginger), aange (yams) and temi (millet). Rice is the staple food of the people, supplemented by fish, meat of various animals, edible tubers and leafy vegetables. Before a Western market economic system arrived, they used a barter system. They greatly valued the generalized reciprocity and also balance reciprocity in their economic system. A locally-made drink known as apong (the two types of apong: pone, made of rice, and poling which is made of millet) is served at every social gatherings and important events. The Nyishis are typically fond of it. Traditional ways of preparing them include steaming, roasting and smoking. Recently they have been forced to move towards a market based exchange economy.
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Wikipedia