ADI NYI

ADI(LHOBAS-in china)

 The Adi people, also known as the Bangni-Bokar Lhoba, are a big group living in the Himalayan hills of Nyingchi Prefecture. You can also find them in areas with mild and warm weather in places like East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang, and Dibang Valley. The old term "Abor," which comes from Assamese, is not used anymore and means "uncontrolled."

Some Adi people live in Southern Tibet, a bit north of South Tibet, close to the border with India. The name "Adi" actually means "hill" or "mountain top."

Tribes and organisation

The Adi people live in hill villages, and each village usually keeps to itself. Many people in these villages don't usually leave. They have a chosen leader called a Gaon Burra, which was a title established during the British era. This leader oversees the village council, which also functions as a traditional court known as Kebang.

In the olden days, these councils were made up of all the village elders, and they made decisions in a Dere, which is like a village community house. They would go with whatever most of the elders agreed upon.

Here are some of the tribes within the Adi community:

1. Shimong tribe
2. Karko tribe
3. Milang tribe
4. Minyong tribe
5. Padam tribe
6. Pasi tribe
7. Ramo tribe
8. Shimong tribe (mentioned twice, is this intentional?)

A long time ago, even the Galo people were considered part of the Adi tribe. But now, the Galo have become a separate and fully recognized tribe, distinct from the Adi.

Language

The language spoken by this group is also called Adi, which is distantly related to the Chinese and Tibetan languages. It is spoken with minor variations among all the Adi tribes
  

Religion

Originally, from what I know, Adis and other Tani ethnic groups typically followed Animism. Nowadays, more and more young Adis are becoming Christians. Adis in Tibet, especially the Bokars, have also picked up some aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, influenced by the Tibetans.

However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the traditional faith and a strong desire to reconnect with their indigenous roots among the people. This has gained popularity especially among the youth.

HISTORY BY Jon Pebi Tato

Hello! Today, I want to share a little about the history and facts of the Adi people.

A long time ago, the Adis were known as Abhors, especially during the colonial period and the rule of the Ahom Empires. This term was used to describe them as somewhat barbarous or uncontrolled.

Throughout history, the Adis, especially the Minyong, Milang, and Padam groups, were known for being fierce warriors. The British took many pictures of the Adi/Abhor people from around 1912 to the 1940s. However, it's worth noting that the colonial influence in NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh) dates back even before the 1900s. The colonial expeditions began as early as the 18th century, but because there isn't much evidence remaining from that period, it's challenging to trace its history. Back then, photography wasn't as advanced, and it was only after the 1990s, with the work of British men like Christopher Pintey and John Falconer, that we saw significant advancements in photography. This led to expeditions to hill tribes and the documentation of NEFA's ethnic groups.

Now, let's focus on the Abhors/Adis. The British were also involved with other tribes, but for now, I'll stick to discussing the Abhors/Adis. In the 1900s, the British began their expedition into the Adi/Abhor region. In 1905, Noel Williamson, a British servant working as an Assistant Political Officer in Sadiya, had many guides during his expedition, including Tibetans and Abhors themselves who served as guides and porters in the dense jungles and mountain tracks. During these times, there were many conflicts between the British and the tribal communities, including the Apatani incident before 1905.

Officer Noel Williamson gathered valuable information from the local people, learning about a fierce war between the Adis and the British led by Sergeant Major Carter in the 1850s. In 1911, Officer Noel Williamson safely returned from his travels in Upper Siang and reached Kebang village. This marked the first successful attempt by the British to enter that village since Carter's time in the 1850s.

When Williamson arrived in Kebang, the leaders, who were Minyong people from Rima village, described him as a "war minister" to the Adis. They said he was tall, wearing a round cap made of deer skin, with attendants who were equally tall. He had a long fur coat with a Tibetan texture, a moustache, and he held a spear in his left hand while gesturing with his right hand. It was quite an interesting sight!

AT PANGIN VILLAGE

       

In 1911, Noel Williamson was told to turn back because the area he was heading into was too dangerous. Later that year, when he wasn't even near Kebang, he noticed that his supplies were missing. He accused the Adi porters, who were also his guides, of taking them. The Adis were already very angry with him, but they didn't harm him right then.

There was a big misunderstanding that arose due to Williamson's actions. He sent the Miris (Adi-Padams) who were carrying his supplies back to get more rations and also gave them letters to be sent to the post office along the way. The carriers, however, reportedly showed the official red and black envelopes to the Adis and bragged that there was an order to punish the villagers of Kebang, Rotung, and Rima. The Adi porters who ran away from Williamson's order later told others that Williamson had slapped them and accused them.

During that same year, in 1911, five Adi individuals attacked Noel Williamson. Unfortunately, both political officer Noel Williamson and his partner Dr. Gregoerson lost their lives in this incident.

In the 1850s, during Sergeant Major Carter's period, there was the first Anglo-Adi War. Then in 1911, after the tragic incident involving the murder of Noel Williamson and Dr. Gregoerson, the second Anglo-Adi War took place.

The Anglo-Adi War of 1911 was a significant event. The British responded with a force of nearly 1000 soldiers and military police to apprehend the murderers of Noel Williamson and his companions. This marked a massive and intense conflict between the British colonial forces and the Adi people, making it a memorable chapter in their history. In my opinion, this war was even more deliberate and intense compared to the Anglo-Adi War of the 1850s led by Major Carter.

The Abhors/Adis in Riga Village spot the British officer Major Bower and his troops approaching.

On the 18th of December, the British set up camp at Yambung Village, not too far from Kebang Village. On that day, headmen from Komsing and Riu Village approached the British camp in a friendly manner. They explained to Major Bower that the incident involving Noel Williamson was an innocent act. The British viewed this as a brave move by the Adi people to come and talk to them. This story was reported by a British journalist in Calcutta. It was also mentioned that Major General Bower believed the account given by the Adi headmen.

However, despite this communication, the British still needed to apprehend the culprits. This led to a tragic event where the British army set fire to Kebang Village. Upon learning of the attack, the Adis came down from Rima-Ruksin to try and defend their village, but they were unable to succeed.

PICTURE:DOWN—1/ BURING DOWN OF KEBANG BY THE BRITISH ARMY.         

KEBANG VILLAGE ATTACKED

  2/ CAPTURED MURDERERS OF NOEL WILLIAMSON AND DR.GREGOERSON(1911)

ADIS WHO KILLED NOEL WILLIAMSON AND DR. GREGOERSON- The picture depicts the captured murderers, who were chained by the British. Matmur Jamoh was among those accused, along with other porters who were involved in the killing of Dr. Gregoerson.