MONPA TRIBE
Main Religion: Buddhism
Main Occupation: Agriculture, Horticulture
Significance: A Major Residential Tribe Of Tawang District.
The Name Game
The picturesque Tawang
girdled by lofty hills, is the home of the Monpas. There are various
versions how this land came to be known as ' Tawang'. According to some
people this was the place where the great Treasure Master, Padma Lingpa
gave initiations such as 'Kagyad' and 'Tamdin Tantras', and hence the
place came to be known as Tawang.
Yet there are others who say that because the horse that belonged to
Merak Lama, the founder of the popular Tawang monastery, often stayed in
the area, which was seen by him as an omen for the establishment of the
monastery, and hence Merak Lama gave the name ' Tawang ' to this place,
derived from two words i.e. "Ta", meaning horse and "Wang",
meaning blessing. So the word Tawang means a place blessed by the horses.
This land is also known by another name- 'Monyul'- the low lying area and
its dwellers are called the Monpas.
Immigration Of Monpas
The Monpas are of Mongoloid descent. There are legends that the Monpas
emigrated from Bhutan and Tibet at different times but the circumstances
under which the migration took place and time of the first settlers in the
present habitat is obscure. The oldest record wherein the mention of this
region appears is in the Tibetan epic -'Dowa Sangmo', - which dates back
to the 7th century AD.
In the epic, one finds the mention of a place called ' Tana Mandegang'
from where the King Kala Wangpo ruled. People believe that it is the same
place where the present monastery - Galden Namgey Lhatse - popularly known
today to the world as 'Tawang Monastery' is situated. The legends place
the visit of Acharya Padmasambhava, the great Indian saint to this area in
the 8th century.
Religiously Buddhist
The Monpas are Buddhist by religion and the Tawang Monastery is the
fountainhead of their spiritual life. Before adopting Buddhism as their
religion, they were believers in the Bon faith - a faith characterized by
spirit worship and sacrifice of animals. The demeanor of the Monpas is
greatly influenced by the compassionate Lord Buddha. They are courteous,
friendly, gentle and industrious.
Monpas Way Of Life
Agriculture is their main occupation of people of Tawang district. The
other occupations are trade and breeding of yaks and other cattle. Monpas
are known for terraced cultivation and production of potatoes. Potato crop
was introduced in Tawang district in 1970 and "Kufri Jyoti"
variety of potato is very popular. The foundation seeds of potato are
brought from Himachal Pradesh and they are grown here to produce certified
seeds. The potato seeds produced in Tawang are sold to farmers of other
districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Horticulture is a recent introduction in the district. Tawang has immense
potential for a number of horticulture crops like orange, walnut, apple,
almonds etc. As there is a lot variation in the altitude of various parts
of the district, therefore different parts are suitable for different
horticultural crops.
Monpas live in cozy double-storied houses, constructed of stone with
plank floors, often with carved doors and window frames. The Monpas are
quiet artistic by nature. Wood curving works, carpets and bamboo utensils
made by them are exquisitely beautiful. They have earned a niche for
themselves in Thanka (also spelt as Thangka or Tangka) paintings and
hand-made papermaking.
Monpa Marraiges
Though monogamy is the rule, polygamous and polyandrous marriages are
also in vogue. Marriage by negotiation is the general practice.
Cross-cousin marriage is preferred. The levirate form of marriage is also
practiced. Divorce is admissible among the Monpas, so is widow remarriage.
Traditional Attires Of The Monpas
The traditional dress of the male members consists of a short woolen
trouser called 'Kangnom' or a full-length woolen trouser called 'Dhorna'.
The upper garments consists of an 'Endi' shirt of Tibetan style over which
a full sleeved woolen jacket of red colour with opening in the front
called 'Chuba' is worn with red colored sash wound round the waist. They
wear a cap made of yak's pelt with five tassels jutting down.
The ladies dress consists of a red colored gown with white stripes
covering the body right from the shoulders to the knee level called
'Shingka' and is girdled at the waist by a sash. A flat rectangular piece
of woolen cloth is worn at the rear of the waist. The upper garment
consists of a lavishly embroidered Endi shirt with opening in the front
called 'Kyanchen Thoe-thung'. Monpa women love wearing jewllery.
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