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| Scenic beauty of Wancho inhabited hills (freshly fallowed) |
Wancho tribes inhabits the hilly
terrains of Longding District, Arunachal Pradesh, India (located between
latitude 26 degree 28ºN and 27 degree 30ºN and longitude 95 degree 23'E and 96
degree 26ºE). Bounded by Tissa River in the East, Mon district of Nagaland in
the West, Patkai hills in the South and Sibsagar district of Assam in the
North. The area is estimated to be 1050.5 sq.km approx. The total population,
as per 2001 Census, is around 50,128 Approx. They forefathers are popularly
known for headhunting practices. besides, they are also known for excel in
inborn wood curving (males) and bead works (females).
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| Wakka village |
However, there is no written record of their origin but according
to legends, Tinu- Longpho Sangnu situated somewhere in the South-West beyond
the Patkai range in the Tuensang district of Nagaland may be consider as their
place of origin. Further, they split into two groups and finally settled in
their present habitat. These two groups came to be known as Tangjen and Sangjen
respectively. The story in vogue among the Wancho people is that long-long ago
there was a great flood and all living creatures were drowned. Only a man named
Aju and woman Ajong took shelter on the top of a high hill and escaped. From
these all the human beings of the world originated
Agriculture is the primary occupation in this region;
whereas, hunting and fishing are secondary means of sustenance of the Wanchos. The
Shifting cultivation or Jhum cultivation is the prominent agricultural practice
followed by Wancho and mixed cropping or multi-cropping is usually preferred. On
other hand, they also hunt and fish for food as well as for sport and go out
either on formal expedition by the active community participation or in small
informal parties of three/four to five persons only. The community hunting called
as Mai Sham or individual hunting called Mai Tan. Wanchos are expert in fishing
and trapping. The individual fishing is called Nyah-to-Ka and community fishing
is called Showthu. The poison commonly used for fishing are Zuh, namely Zuhkai,
Zuhjai, Tau, Bah and Hoyi etc.
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| During Oriah celebration |
The social system of
Wanchos is very unique and strong in nature. The Wanchos have chieftainship
system since time immemorial and they mostly practice joint family system. The
village council headed by the chief, Ngopa, Wangsham and elders
are the main decision making body in the village. The marriage system followed
in the olden days was purely child marriage system called Toikam/Nwchakam
where the parent of bride and bridegroom engage their child before
they attain adulthood. However, now-a-days these systems have been abolished
and depend upon the individual choice. Tattooing is the most unique and
important event in the life of a Wancho. Tattooing is of two types; one is
called Huhtu which is for womenfolk, and another is called Zanhuhtu
for the male folk done after the victory of head hunting expedition. Oriah,
Lawdan, Chahchawan, Pungzam, Pongwan and Khamdaak etc. are some of the major
festival which generally accompanied by performance of various rituals. Among
all these, Oriah is the most important festival which is celebrated on the
month of February. Villagers usually celebrate this major festival soon after
the end of sowing of seeds in their jhum uplands.
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| Young Wancho girls |
The
traditional attire of Wancho comprises of a piece of cloth (Khehit) for male,
and a skirt (Nyisa or Kheto) for woman called. The male folk wear headgear
(Khohom), necklace(Liknu-Likcham), Ear ring (nathuak), waist belt
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Wancho man in traditional attire
(Zapak) etc.
whereas, female folk wear fillet (Lik-Kha-dau), ear ring (natu), bangle
(Khapsan), necklace(lik), shell(Thuak) and feather (O-Koi) etc. during the
festivals. |
