The Monpa tribe is one of the most populous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and is considered one of the major tribal communities throughout the region. Monpas are the inhabitants of the district of Tawang high altitude mountain passes and Bomdila in West Kameng district. Historically, the Tibetan word Monpa referred to all Indian tribes of southern Tibet and Bhutan, who were considered highly civilized barbarians by Tibetan Buddhists. Mera Lama of Tibet Buddhism spread in southern Tibet and becomes these Monpas Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist faith. As a result of these inhabitants of Tawang came under the religious and cultural influence from Tibet and Tawang was given by the Dalai Lama in Lhasa.
The Monpas were subsequently separated from their Tibetan connection when British settlers arrived in the Chinese border and Monpas MacMahon Line remained in Indian Territory.
society
Monpas Tshangla speak, which is also understood by the Bhutanese and Tibetan languages how are you share a similar origin. However, Monpas are classified into six clans based on variations in dialect and location of their villages. These groups were not in frequent contact with others as Monpas lived in isolation.
Traditional society Monpa was administered by his advice Trukdri consisting of six ministers. The Kempo, or high priest of the monastery of Tawang, was also included. The Lamas also has a respectable position and two monks known as Nyetsangs, were also part of the board. Two other people were Dzongpens or administrators strength.
Monpa society is patriarchal; the man is the head of the family and is taking all decisions. In his absence, his wife takes care of all the responsibilities. When a child is born, they have no strict preference for a boy or a girl. However, some prefer a daughter so she stays in the house of her parents once she was married. Her husband is the one who moves into the house of his parents-in-law.
Being skilled craftsmen, the Monpas traditionally devoted themselves into the fabric and preparing bamboo products. Although many Monpas initially practiced hunting and foraging in the mountains, began shifting cultivation and recently moved to terrace farming agriculture. Barley, rice, corn, chili and beans are among their main crops. Also as pets rear yaks, pigs and sheep.
Since the end of the culture of isolation, Monpas participated heavily on trade with other tribes of Arunachal, the people of the plains and tourist visitors in your area.
religion
The Monpas, like most other native of the eastern Himalayas, believed in native animist Bon religion before converting to Tibetan Buddhism. But unlike the other tribes, the Monpas were completely absorbed in his new religion leaving only a few elements of their ancient religion. Monpa Many families also send their children to join Lamas and monasteries. The Buddhist influence increased with the increasing importance of Tawang Monpa when this region was chosen as the Dalai Lama.
Losar Festival in Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Dances during Losar are extremely colorful and mythical. Seen here is a celebration held in the monastery of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, against a stunning backdrop of the snow capped Himalayan mountains.
Festivals
Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is the main festival, even the Monpas. Crowds gather at the monastery and the Lamas preside over ceremonies. Choskar, or harvest festival is unique to the Monpa community. Despite a non-Tibetan festival also has religious elements in the holidays as people travel to Tawang Lamas Buddhist pilgrimage and religious scriptures read in the Gompas for a few days during Choskar.
conclusion
Due to the growth of tourism in the scenic area Monpa, the Monpas have gone out of their isolation and have become a friendly community with strangers. His youth have also made progress in urban commerce and education, and finding good jobs and resourceful.
Monpa House Thembang, Arunachal Pradesh
A typical house of a family Monpa is made primarily of wood and stone, easily available locally.
to Visit
Thembang is a town in Monpa about 2300 m altitude. It is of great historical and cultural importance, since it is an old village. In medieval times it was the headquarters of a large territory which was ruled by the powerful Thembang Bapu who were the direct descendant of the king of Tibet. People Monpa traditional lifestyle can be experienced in family homes in Thembang because of a tourism project and benefiting asset-based community that has begun with the help of WWF India. For more details and help in planning a visit to Thembang, contact us here.
And finally, to quote the description of the Monpas Dr.Verrier as Elwin;
"Gentle, kind, courteous, hardworking, good for animals, good for kids, they look at the influence of Monpas compassionate Lord Buddha in the common man."
The Monpas were subsequently separated from their Tibetan connection when British settlers arrived in the Chinese border and Monpas MacMahon Line remained in Indian Territory.
society
Monpas Tshangla speak, which is also understood by the Bhutanese and Tibetan languages how are you share a similar origin. However, Monpas are classified into six clans based on variations in dialect and location of their villages. These groups were not in frequent contact with others as Monpas lived in isolation.
Traditional society Monpa was administered by his advice Trukdri consisting of six ministers. The Kempo, or high priest of the monastery of Tawang, was also included. The Lamas also has a respectable position and two monks known as Nyetsangs, were also part of the board. Two other people were Dzongpens or administrators strength.
Monpa society is patriarchal; the man is the head of the family and is taking all decisions. In his absence, his wife takes care of all the responsibilities. When a child is born, they have no strict preference for a boy or a girl. However, some prefer a daughter so she stays in the house of her parents once she was married. Her husband is the one who moves into the house of his parents-in-law.
Being skilled craftsmen, the Monpas traditionally devoted themselves into the fabric and preparing bamboo products. Although many Monpas initially practiced hunting and foraging in the mountains, began shifting cultivation and recently moved to terrace farming agriculture. Barley, rice, corn, chili and beans are among their main crops. Also as pets rear yaks, pigs and sheep.
Since the end of the culture of isolation, Monpas participated heavily on trade with other tribes of Arunachal, the people of the plains and tourist visitors in your area.
religion
The Monpas, like most other native of the eastern Himalayas, believed in native animist Bon religion before converting to Tibetan Buddhism. But unlike the other tribes, the Monpas were completely absorbed in his new religion leaving only a few elements of their ancient religion. Monpa Many families also send their children to join Lamas and monasteries. The Buddhist influence increased with the increasing importance of Tawang Monpa when this region was chosen as the Dalai Lama.
Losar Festival in Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
Dances during Losar are extremely colorful and mythical. Seen here is a celebration held in the monastery of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, against a stunning backdrop of the snow capped Himalayan mountains.
Festivals
Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is the main festival, even the Monpas. Crowds gather at the monastery and the Lamas preside over ceremonies. Choskar, or harvest festival is unique to the Monpa community. Despite a non-Tibetan festival also has religious elements in the holidays as people travel to Tawang Lamas Buddhist pilgrimage and religious scriptures read in the Gompas for a few days during Choskar.
conclusion
Due to the growth of tourism in the scenic area Monpa, the Monpas have gone out of their isolation and have become a friendly community with strangers. His youth have also made progress in urban commerce and education, and finding good jobs and resourceful.
Monpa House Thembang, Arunachal Pradesh
A typical house of a family Monpa is made primarily of wood and stone, easily available locally.
to Visit
Thembang is a town in Monpa about 2300 m altitude. It is of great historical and cultural importance, since it is an old village. In medieval times it was the headquarters of a large territory which was ruled by the powerful Thembang Bapu who were the direct descendant of the king of Tibet. People Monpa traditional lifestyle can be experienced in family homes in Thembang because of a tourism project and benefiting asset-based community that has begun with the help of WWF India. For more details and help in planning a visit to Thembang, contact us here.
And finally, to quote the description of the Monpas Dr.Verrier as Elwin;
"Gentle, kind, courteous, hardworking, good for animals, good for kids, they look at the influence of Monpas compassionate Lord Buddha in the common man."
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