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{{Short description|Subgroup of the Adi people found in Assam, India}}
{{refimprove|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
The '''Milang tribe''' (alternately '''Millang''', '''Malaa''', or '''Holon''') are a sub-group of the [[Adi people]] found in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and nearby [[Rigbi]], [[Jonai]],in [[Assam]], [[India]].
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2012}}
The '''[[Milang tribe]]''' (alternately '''Millang''', '''Malaa''', or '''Holon''') are a sub-group of the [[Adi people]] found in [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and nearby [[Rigbi]], [[Jonai]], in the Indian state of [[Assam]].


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The term ''Milang'' is an [[exonym]], used by non-members of the group to refer to them.<ref name=Post>
The term ''Milang'' is an [[exonym]].<ref name="Post">
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|title=Language contact and the genetic position of Milang in Tibeto-Burman
|title=Language contact and the genetic position of Milang in Tibeto-Burman
|last1=Post|first1=Mark W.
|last1=Post|first1=Mark W.
|last2=Modi|first2=Yankee
|last2=Modi|first2=Yankee
|url=http://unibe-ch.academia.edu/MarkWPost/Papers/229667/Language_contact_and_the_genetic_position_of_Milang_in_Tibeto-Burman
|url=https://unibe-ch.academia.edu/MarkWPost/Papers/229667/Language_contact_and_the_genetic_position_of_Milang_in_Tibeto-Burman
|journal=Anthropological Linguistics
|journal=Anthropological Linguistics
|date=In press
|date=
}}</ref> Members of the tribe prefer the name ''Malaa''.
}}</ref> Members of the tribe call themselves ''Malaa''.


== Language ==
== Language ==
{{Unreferenced-section|date=May 2021}}
{{main article|Milang language}}
{{main|Milang language}}
Malaa people use a distinct form of dialect un-intelligible to most of the other subgroups of Adi. There has been several theories regarding its unique dialect, however most of the Malaa people maintains that they adopted this dialect from a certain group of people called Soi-sotem who inhabited their lands long before Malaa people came and settled there and the latter migrated to other places. Still today the Malaa mention and remember those archaic Soi-sotem people in their ballads as:
The Malay people use a dialect unintelligible to most other subgroups of Adi. Several theories explain the dialect's creation, but most of the Malaa maintain they adopted it from the Soi-stem who inhabited their lands long before the Malaa people settled there. The Malaa still mention and remember the Soi-system people, who they claim migrated to other places, in their ballads, through lyrics like:


: ''Soi belu kettunge, Sotem belu kettunge''.
: ''Soi belu kettunge, Sotem belu kettunge''.


Soi sotem were believed to come from Kalang Ade(dite), the highest peak in the land of the Milang beyond which is the land of [[Idu Mishmi tribe|Idu Mishmi]] tribe.
The Soi-system was believed to have originated from Kalang Ade, the highest peak in the land of the Malaa beyond which is the land of Idu Mishmi tribe.


==Religion==
==Religion==
{{Unreferenced-section|date=May 2021}}
The Malaa are adherents of indigenous Donyi-Poloism, the practice of praying to the almighty Sun goddess and The Moon God. The priests, called ''Madar'' in Malaa, are popularly believed to be the intermediaries between the natural human world and Spiritual and supernatural world. Male priests are connected with act of divination while the female priests are related with healing of sickness. The priesthood is hereditary practice as it passed from generation to generation in a family. The ritual of sacrificing an animal as suggested by priest to cure a disease is called ''Lulu''. Whenever an epidemic or disease breaks down in a village, the villagers construct a gate at the entrance of the village and a dog is sacrificed with intestines sagging out and hanged.This ritual is called ''Lukan''.


The Malaa are adherents of indigenous [[Donyi-Polo|Donyi-Poloism]], the practice of praying to the Sun Goddess and The Moon God. The priests, called ''Madar'' in Malaa, are believed to be the intermediaries between the natural, human world and the Spiritual, or supernatural world. Male priests are connected with the act of divination while the female priests are related to the healing of sickness. The priesthood is a hereditary practice, passed from generation to generation in a family. One particular ritual called ''Lulu'' involves the sacrificing of an animal to cure a disease. Whenever there is an epidemic or disease breakout in a village, the villagers construct a gate at the entrance of the village and a dog is sacrificed by hanging with its intestines sagging out. This ritual is called ''Lukan''.
''Ayid Madar Bemmanu'', a ritualistic dance is performed throughout the night in which priest bargains to appease the spirits to release the soul of diseased person and in exchange for gifts. The priest examines the chicken liver and reads omen and suggest the nature of disease and corresponding sacrifice to be made to heal the disease.


''Aid Madar Bemmanu'', a ritualistic dance, is performed throughout the night. During this dance, priests bargain to appease the spirits to release the souls of diseased people in exchange for gifts. The priests examine the liver of a chicken, read omens, and use those to interpret the nature of the disease and a corresponding sacrifice to be made to heal the ill.
Name of festival Dates
{| class="wikitable"
!Festival Name
Aran March 7
!Date
Solung Etor May 15
|-
Solung(Lune) September 1
|Aran
|7 March
|-
|Solung Editor
|15 May
|-
|Solung (Lune)
|1 September
|}


==Geography==
==Geography==
{{Unreferenced-section|date=May 2021}}
Geographically the Malaa land lies approximately between 94-95 degree N latitude and 28-29 degree E longitude in [[Upper Siang district]]. The land of the Milangs extends to the ''Chage'' and ''Felo'' hills in the north which is land of the Idu tribe of Dibang valley. To south and the east they are bounded by the land of the [[Padam tribe|Padams]].
The Malaa land lies approximately between 94-95 degree N latitude and 28-29 degree E longitude in the [[Upper Siang district]]. Their land extends to the ''Change'' and ''Felo'' hills in the north. To the south and the east, they are bounded by the land of the [[Padam tribe|Padams]].


Their land is a rich source of the ''[[Aconitum]]'' plant (variously known as monk's hood or wolf's bane), the source of the powerful poison [[aconitine]], which the Milang historically used on their spears and arrows during battle.The ''[[Anglo-Abor wars]]'' between 1835 and 1912 saw massive use of 'EMO'(called AMU in Millang) being supplied from Peki Modi village against the invading British forces.
Their land is a rich source of ''[[Aconitum]]'' plant (variously known as monk's hood or wolf's bane), the source of the powerful poison [[aconitine]], which the Milang historically used on their spears and arrows during battle. The ''Anglo-Abor wars'' between 1835 and 1912 saw massive use of 'EMO'(called AMU in Millang) which was supplied from Peki Modi village against the invading British forces.


The principal rivers are Sidip, Yamne, Yammeng, Satamak and Chapel besides many rivulets flowing through their land.
The principal rivers are Sidip, Yamane, Yammeng, Satamak, and Chapel.


Millang, Dalbing and Peki Modi are the important ancestral villages of the Malaa. However, as of today they are found residing in the hills and the valleys of [[East Siang district|East Siang]], [[Upper Siang district|Upper Siang]] and [[Lower Dibang Valley district|Lower Dibang Valley]] Districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Millang, Dabbing, and Peki Modi are their important ancestral villages. They now inhabit the hills and the valleys of [[East Siang district|East Siang]], [[Upper Siang district|Upper Siang]], and [[Lower Dibang Valley district|Lower Dibang Valley]] Districts of Arunachal Pradesh.


==Surnames==
==Surnames==
Surnames used by Malaa are based on family lineage. Common surnames include:
Surnames used by Malaa are based on family lineage. Common surnames include:
{{colbegin|cols=3}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Ayom
* Ayom
* Binggep
* Binggep
Line 63: Line 77:
Some of their clans/family with Milang history & origin**
Some of their clans/family with Milang history & origin**
{{colend}}
{{div col end}}
Each Malaa surname are further subdivided into several clans. For example,the Modi have the following clans:
Each Malaa surname is further subdivided into several clans. For example, the Modi has the following clans:
* Ketin
* Kevin
* Kebang-Bamuk, Bapok(Kepok)
* Kebang-Bamuk, Bapok (Kepok)
* Rungmi
* Rumi
* Taruk
* Taruk
* Ngusang
* Mustang
* Miew
* Miew


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|year=1992
|year=1992
|title=British relations with the Adis, 1825-1947
|title=British relations with the Adis, 1825-1947
|year=New Delhi|publisher=Omsons Publications
|location=New Delhi|publisher=Omsons Publications
|isbn=81-7117-097-8
|isbn=81-7117-097-8
}}
}}
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{{Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh}}
{{Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]]

Latest revision as of 03:25, 30 October 2023

The Milang tribe (alternately Millang, Malaa, or Holon) are a sub-group of the Adi people found in Arunachal Pradesh and nearby Rigbi, Jonai, in the Indian state of Assam.

Etymology

[edit]

The term Milang is an exonym.[1] Members of the tribe call themselves Malaa.

Language

[edit]

The Malay people use a dialect unintelligible to most other subgroups of Adi. Several theories explain the dialect's creation, but most of the Malaa maintain they adopted it from the Soi-stem who inhabited their lands long before the Malaa people settled there. The Malaa still mention and remember the Soi-system people, who they claim migrated to other places, in their ballads, through lyrics like:

Soi belu kettunge, Sotem belu kettunge.

The Soi-system was believed to have originated from Kalang Ade, the highest peak in the land of the Malaa beyond which is the land of Idu Mishmi tribe.

Religion

[edit]

The Malaa are adherents of indigenous Donyi-Poloism, the practice of praying to the Sun Goddess and The Moon God. The priests, called Madar in Malaa, are believed to be the intermediaries between the natural, human world and the Spiritual, or supernatural world. Male priests are connected with the act of divination while the female priests are related to the healing of sickness. The priesthood is a hereditary practice, passed from generation to generation in a family. One particular ritual called Lulu involves the sacrificing of an animal to cure a disease. Whenever there is an epidemic or disease breakout in a village, the villagers construct a gate at the entrance of the village and a dog is sacrificed by hanging with its intestines sagging out. This ritual is called Lukan.

Aid Madar Bemmanu, a ritualistic dance, is performed throughout the night. During this dance, priests bargain to appease the spirits to release the souls of diseased people in exchange for gifts. The priests examine the liver of a chicken, read omens, and use those to interpret the nature of the disease and a corresponding sacrifice to be made to heal the ill.

Festival Name Date
Aran 7 March
Solung Editor 15 May
Solung (Lune) 1 September

Geography

[edit]

The Malaa land lies approximately between 94-95 degree N latitude and 28-29 degree E longitude in the Upper Siang district. Their land extends to the Change and Felo hills in the north. To the south and the east, they are bounded by the land of the Padams.

Their land is a rich source of Aconitum plant (variously known as monk's hood or wolf's bane), the source of the powerful poison aconitine, which the Milang historically used on their spears and arrows during battle. The Anglo-Abor wars between 1835 and 1912 saw massive use of 'EMO'(called AMU in Millang) which was supplied from Peki Modi village against the invading British forces.

The principal rivers are Sidip, Yamane, Yammeng, Satamak, and Chapel.

Millang, Dabbing, and Peki Modi are their important ancestral villages. They now inhabit the hills and the valleys of East Siang, Upper Siang, and Lower Dibang Valley Districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Surnames

[edit]

Surnames used by Malaa are based on family lineage. Common surnames include:

  • Ayom
  • Binggep
  • Bitin
  • Borang**
  • Dalbong
  • Daltem
  • Dameng
  • Gamno
  • Langkam
  • Lego**
  • Litin
  • Libang
  • Miew
  • Modi
  • Ngukir
  • Ngupok
  • Patuk

Some of their clans/family with Milang history & origin**

Each Malaa surname is further subdivided into several clans. For example, the Modi has the following clans:

  • Kevin
  • Kebang-Bamuk, Bapok (Kepok)
  • Rumi
  • Taruk
  • Mustang
  • Miew

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Post, Mark W.; Modi, Yankee. "Language contact and the genetic position of Milang in Tibeto-Burman". Anthropological Linguistics.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Modi, Milorai (2007). The Millangs. Himalayan Publishers.
  • Mibang, Tamo; Chaudhuri, SK, eds. (2004). Understanding tribal religion. New Delhi: Mittal. ISBN 81-7099-945-6.
  • Lego, NN (1992). British relations with the Adis, 1825-1947. New Delhi: Omsons Publications. ISBN 81-7117-097-8.
[edit]