TANGSA
Location:
Changlang District
General Information:
The Tangsas consist of about fifteen allied groups mainly
inhabited along the Indo- Myanmar border. They have separate
bachelor dormitories for boys and girls. Some forms of preferential
cross-cousin marriage, so rorate and levirate are
prevalent in their society. They prefer to live in joint families.
Agriculture is their mainstay of life and they practice both dry
and wet method of cultivation. Their main crops are millet,
sweet potato, arum and ginger. Rice is the staple food
along with maize and millet. Tea without milk and sugar is a
favourite beverage among them. They practice barter trade.
They are animist and believe in the existence of a supreme being
and a number of deities and spirits. The Tangsa’s do not worship
the supreme god nor do they make any offerings and sacrifices to
him as they believe that the god never desires anything from
men nor he is harmful to them.
Their main festival is Moh or Mol celebrated in the month of
April for bumper crops and prosperous life. Colourful Moh dance
is an important part of this festival. They grow cotton in their
village and prepare the yarn. Tangsa women are expert in weaving
as their men in cane and bamboo basketry.