| Census
2011
District population : 99,214
Growth : 13.52%
Sex Ratio : 980
Literacy : 72.54
Brief About East
Siang District
Welcome to the East Siang District of Arunachal
Pradesh.The East Siang District is a wild mountainous area and presents
a remarkable topographical variety. The District has an area of
4005 sq.km. and is lying approximately between 27º 43' and
29º20' North latitudes and 94º 42' and 95º 35' East
latitudes.
The Name of the district is derived from the Mighty River Siang
that, originating from Tibet, where it is called Tsangpo, transcends
down and flows through the entire length of the area until it descends
down into the plains of Asam south of Pasighat town, where it meets
Dihang and Lohit and becomes the Brahmaputra.
To the East Siang District in the state of Arunachal
Pradesh in India. Deriving its name from the Mighty Siang River,
the District is the home of the Adi tribe, and is a land of eternal
beauty. Often called as the 'gateway to Arunachal Pradesh' the place
is worth a visit to have rendezvous with mother Nature in her purest
form.
The People
The East Siang District is mostly populated by the Adi
tribe which comprise of a large number of tribal groups and can
be divided into various subgroups such as the Minyongs, Padams,
Shimongs, Milangs, Pasis, Karkos, Ashings, Pangis, Tangmas and Boris.
Taken as a whole, the Adis belong to the Astro-Mongolide race, are
good looking, sturdy and vigorous.
According to Griession's linguistic classification, the language
spoken in East Siang District are put together under the North-Assam
group of the Tibeto-Burmese group. There are various theories regarding
the original home of the Adis; however it seems probable that they
came to their present habitat from the north, i.e., Tibet. River
Siang had a major role in determining the route of migration of
most of the Adi clans. However, the exact location of their original
home in Tibet or beyond that is still to be ascertained.
The society in East Siang, like most parts of the
state, is organized on the basis of clan and village and the social
relationships are determined on the basis of kinship or locality.
The family, called rutum, is the smallest social unit. The society
is basically patrilineal and patriarchal and the sons inherit the
property. One outstanding feature of the Adi society that sets it
aside from the mainland is the absence of the caste system. Of course,
there are some social distinctions, but all people eat together
on social occasion and take their part in social councils.
Any mention of the Adi community of the district will not be complete
without giving a brief account of the system of local-self government
called Kebang. These village councils are time-honored socio-political
institutions deriving their authority from tradition. They function
as village governments expressing the will and power of the members
of the society. The functions of these Kebangs are three- fold -
judicial, administrative and developmental.
Dances
Dances are an integral part of the lives of the people of East
Siang. These dances are simple, rythmic, colourful and participative.
They are performed at the slightest pretext. Some of the famous
dances are:
Ponung: This dance of the Minyong group of Adis
is performed especially on the occassion of the Solung festival.
The priest, caled Miri, rattles and ancient Dao (sword) and sings
legands.
Popir: This dance is similar to Ponung but is performed on the occasion
of Mopin festival of the Galos. The dancers wear white dresses and
elaborate headgear of straw.
Dishang: This dance is performed by men folk. It is a community
dance and sticks are used.
Tapu: This is an interesting martial dance. This is performed with
long traditional swords, vigourous cries and rapid movements by
men folk
What to See?
KEKAR MONYING, a mountain cliff near Rottung is an important
historical place because it was here that the Adi put up a strong
resistance against the British in 1911. The war was a part of a
punitive expedition undertaken by the British for murdering Noel
Williamson, a political officer in the previous year by Matmur Jamoh,
a native of Yagrung village.
Komsing, a village on the left bank of the Siang
is the place of Williamson's murder. A stone epitaph bearing the
name of Noel. Williamson still lies near the Siang. GOMSI, a cultivation
area near Rani village is another place of historical importance.
In June'96 a team of archaeologists led by Shri T. Tada, Deputy
Director, Archaeology of the Research Department conducted a trial
excavation and survey in the site. They have found apart from broken
pieces of different evidence of glorious past culture of early medieval
period (probably Pre-Ahom).
The site has a big rectangular Canal measuring
3.5 meters wide and a pond measuring 38x36 mts. in the site. A mound
has been unearthed inside the Canal area from where 13 different
sizes of bricks have been found from it's brick wall.
Further excavation and extensive study is required
to arrive at a definite idea about the 11.5 acres big settlement
area.
D Ering Wild Life Sanctuary
The Daying Ering Wild Life Sanctury is located at a distance
of 13 kms. from Pasighat and is one of the few sancturies located
on an island. One has to cruise through River Siangby country boat
to reach the place. During September - February, a variety of migratory
birds like cranes, wild-ducks, storks, water-fowlsand hornbils come
here from far-off places making it a paradise for the bird watchers.
Deers, wild elephants, buffaloes and smaller predators are also
abundent. The lucky visitors may also have a glimpse of tiger.IS
situated at a distance of about 60 kms. from Pasighat, and connected
by road, it atands at a point where River Siyom meets River Siang
and presents a rare sight. The blue waters of Siom meet the green
Sinag and the beauty of the site is to be seen to be believed.
Besides above, the district is endowed with some
exquisite scenic locations particularly on both sides of the Siang.
There are also a number of rare plants and herbs which are of medicinal
importance. Botanists amd Zoologists can have ample scope for study
of the rich plant and wild-life resources.
The locals still maintain their traditional Socio-cultural practices
and observe different festival like Mopin, Solung, Unying-Aran,
Etor, Pime, Ali-Aye Ligang etc. They use various colourful costumes
and perform dances like Ponung, Delong, Gumrak Soman, Yakjong, Tapu
and various other folk dances. They can be of additional aspects
of interest specially for sociologists, anthropologists and other
culture tourists. Other places of interest are Yambung, Boleng,
Ranaghat at Pasighat, Rottung, Ayeng village on the left bank of
the Siang, Balek, J.N. College, Craft centre, Pasighat and District
Museum run by Research Department.
Adventure Tourism
Adventure Sports
Recognising that tourism is a source of earning revenue
and a catalyst for transforming the economy and developmental process
of a State, the government of Arunachal Pradesh has been taking
up certain schemes and policies to build up tourism infrastructure
recently. The recent upgradation of the Department with a Directorate's
establishment and launching of certain schemes like acquiring of
suitable sites for construction of Tourist lodges, conducting of
package tours, training of it's officials and encouragement to private
tour operators are steps towards making tourism a viable economic
base for the future of the State.
East Siang with it's exotic natural surroundings,
rich forest and wild-life resources and pleasant climatic conditions
is a potential district for harnessing the economic benefits from
attracting tourists to the State. The district has adequate resources
to offer following avenues of tourism to both domestic and foreign
visitors.
1. Rafting:- The majestic Siang river flows through
the heart of the district finally joining the Brahmaputra near Oriamghat
in Assam. This river is suitable for adventurisms white-water rafting.
Already three rafting expeditions from Gelling in far Upper Siang
to Pasighat have been conducted successfully. Two of the expeditions
were undertaken by Indian Army while the other one was organised
by a joint Indo-Japanese team in 1990. Rafting down the 250 Km.
long rapid starting from Gelling to Pasighat is an experience which
few rivers in the country can match
2. Trekking & Mountaineering.Besides rafting,
trekking and mountaineering has a high scope in the district. There
are a number of fascinating hills like BAPI ADI, BAYOR ADI, KIKI,
MESSING Plateau, RUM GONNG ADI AND REGAM DITE etc. Average altitute
of these mountains is 3000 to 4000 feet from sea level. They are
situated at both sides of the Siang and are approachable from Pasighat,
Pangin and Boleng. Trekking can be organised near the banks of the
Siang villages located along the Siang valley and the nearby hills.
3. Angling
SIMANG, a confluence of Siang and one of it's
tributaries, Simang river is a popular angling spot near Boleng.
An angling festival was organised in '95 by the Department of Tourism
where some foreigners participated. Other suitable angling sites
are the confluence of Siyon and Siang, Yambung, Dite-Dime etc.
Pasighat Town
Pasighat town, the headquarter of the East Siang District,
is situated at an altitude of 155 metres above main sea level and
is the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh - established in 1911 A.D.
A political Officer was appointed in that year with a view to help
the natives of the area to come down to the plains of Assam for
trade and commerce. It would not be wrong to say, therefore, that
the people of East Siang District were the first natives of the
state to come in contact with the mainstream; and, it is therefore
that this district is called as `the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh'
The mighty Siang riveris the life-line of the East Siang District
and in Pasighat, it calms down before entering Assam south of Pasighat.
The town covers an area of 4005 sq.kms. and supports a population
of nearly eighty thousand persons. |
