Handicraft

Monpas: – Colourful Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh

June 25th, 2010 |

Author:

The Monpas is one of the colourful tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. They are living in the Twang District. The land is known as ‘Monyul’ because of low land lying dwelled by Monpas tribes.

The Monpas are Buddhist by religion and Tawang monastery is fountain head of their spiritual lives. Inhabitants of the district are all of Monpa Tribes except Shyo village which is dominated by peoples of Tibetian originate Monpas is belong to “Mongoloid Race”. They are well built, fair in complexion. Their houses are built with stone, and timber, bamboo ceiling, curved wooden doors, and wooden framers. They lives cozy double stored residential house Agriculture and animal husbandry are the fundamental it is means of the Monpas occupation. They follow terrace of cultivation.They also have Yak, Sheep, other lives stock. Twang monastery is one of the most important elements in the social and religious life of the Monpas. The Monpas tribe is predominantly ‘Gelukpa Sects’ of Mahayana stream of Buddhism. The monastery is known as “Galden Namgyel Lhatse” is one of the most Largest Lama series of “Mahayana’ sect in Asia. Lama series is comprised of several sections ranging near about four hundred years, devoted to Love, Learning and purely of life. The Monpas are courteous, friendly, simple and hospitable. Their traditional dresses are very colourful. They are artistic by nature. Wood curving works, utensils are made by bamboo looking exquisitely beautiful. They have an earned niche for themselves Thanka Paintings and hand made paper making. Marriage by negotiation in common practice in Monpas society.

Losar Festival: – The ‘Losar Festival’ is celebrated by the Monpas in every year in five days. It is the festival of New Year of the monpas tribes. On the occasion of the festival, the Monpas tribes are clean of their houses and discard the old. The dirt and grit of the old year is considered to symbolize the ill health. During five days festival the Monpas are pray in the monastery for their good health, prosperity, and well living in the next year. They are also hoisted the religious flag at the top of their houses. During the festival, the Monpas tribes are used to visits to their friends and relatives, near and dearer ones.

Social Life: – The Monpas communities are greatly influenced by the Lamas, is a Tibetian Monk in their day to day life. In every social life, the Lama guidance and religious advice is very important of the Monpas society. To respect and honoure of the Lama in every spheres of social life is very important to Monpas tribes. Lamas are being invited for religious functions, birth and deaths, marriage and constructions of the new houses etc.

Village Council:-Each Monpas villages have a democratic set up of village council which is called Tsobla headed by a Tsorgan- the village head and the Thumi (messenger). In respect of civil and criminal cases are settled by Tsorgan in consultation with the Tsobla. It is said that, Thumi acts as a messenger between the defendants and the complaints. The village council is greatly influenced and guided by the monasteries and their Lamas (Tibetian Buddhist monk).

Handicraft: – The carpet making is specialty of the Monpas. Carpet with exotic design of the dragons, geometries and flora pattern are made by the Monpas. Carpets’ weaving has a major occupation with the women folks and with an increased in demand. The Monpas are now producing large scales beautiful carpets. The Monpas wood carver scopes out beautiful cups dishes fruits bowls, and magnificent ceremonia marks for dances and the pantomimes.

After all, the Monpas are friendly, and possess a rich cultural heritage. They put well dress and artificially design cloths. They follow Buddhism and Profess Mahayana Buddhism.