<i>Jhum</i> cultivation practices of the Bangnis (Nishis) of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

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<i>Jhum</i> (slash and burn cultivation) is an age-old system of agriculture among the indigenous groups in the humid tropics. The Jhumias make use of the local ecological and environmental conditions to their advantage. The natural indicators, their magico-religious beliefs, and analogy & faith condition their decision-making. Worships, rituals, myths and folktales also govern their land and resource use. The entire gamut of their socio-cultural life is thus woven around Jhum that is not merely an ‘Agricultural Activity’, but a Cultural Practice’ and a ‘Way of Life’.

The paper attempts at understanding the complex relation of how the socio-cultural life of Bangni jhumias of East Kameng to Jhum. The traditional calendar of Jhum activity is presented and is followed by tracing the origin, settlement history and land stewardship of the tribe that closely relates to origin of this practice. The socio-cultural beliefs, magico-religious practices, festivities and rituals associated with Jhum are described, to give a view of their traditional system of agriculture and land management.

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