From the Eyes of Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha :Amidst Mising Indigenous Tribe & Mising Tribe Village, Majuli Island, Assam

From the Eyes of Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha : 

Amidst Mising Indigenous Tribe & Mising Tribe Village, Majuli Island, Assam 

(All the images are subject to IPR)

The Mising Indigenous Tribe live all around the Majuli river island  of  Assam. The tribe is one of India's largest tribe in terms of population and have inhabited this island since 16th century,

Mising - the tribe name has been derived from two words from their own dialect. "Mi" which means Man and "Asnshing" means worthiness. The two clubbed together gives the name as "Miasnshing" and later came to be known as "Missing" or "Mising".

Mising are an indigenous tribal community inhabiting eleven districts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. They were earlier called Miris and traces back to the ancestor Abotani. 

Foreigners Cycling out of Mising Tribe Village, Majuli  Island,Assam
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

The Mising tribes villages have scattered all across the Majuli island.All the villages have almost the same setup. Elevated houses made of bamboo and cane .

Hut of Mising Indigenous Tribe of  Majuli Island Assam
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

The tribal community is very rich as far as culture is concerned. They have different folk dances and instruments which are played during different festivals and occasions. 

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

"Ali-aye-leegang" and " Pohrak" are the two festivals celebrated by the Mising tribe depending upon their agricultural cycle. Former is usually celebrated on the first Wednesday in February marking the beginning of the sowing season. During the festival , songs and dances are performed using traditional instruments by the youth in every house courtyard. Latter is the post harvest festival which is held during the early winter months. Dance and music is also an important part of this festival. Dances of Mising tribe are called Paksong or Soman similar to Bihu.

"Mising Tribe Dance" Performance in Kaziranga Orchid & Bio-diversity Park Assam
Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

The Mising tribals are famous for their preparation of "Gadu" which is a type of woolen blanket that calls for a lot of skill and knowledge.The girls are taught the art of weaving the traditional way by using silk or cotton.pieces of cloth.

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Missing community also practice "Doni-Poloism" which is the worship of the sun and moon god.

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Mising are not very religious and do not follow any religious practice strictly.Most rituals are animistic in nature although they follow Vaishnavism which is completely opposite in nature, without any conflict - thus giving birth to "Mising Faith".

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Image (C) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

"Murang "  and "Mimbir Yame " are traditional institutions of Mising Tribe. Murang is a 'community bachelor boys home' which performs the protective role for the village. Mimbir Yame is a group of unmarried young boys and girls who are taught with Mising Ethics, discipline, community rules, farming, house making, wedding arrangements etc.

Each village has its village chief. "Kebang" (Village Council)  takes care of the village community and its words are final in matters related to faith, small disputes, and crime. Persons found guilty are punished. The "Bane Kebang" is group of two or more villages council consisting of selected elderly people. Judgement delivered by "Bane Kebang" is honoured by all the members of the community.

Mising are one of the most colourful tribes - fun loving and enjoying life to the full.