Marriage Types and Rituals of Adi Tribe of Lower Diabang Valley District Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

The paper discusses the marriage systems used by the Adi tribe and the marriage rituals. The Adi are a large indigenous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh that have their origin of Abotani and fall under the subgroup the Abotani sub group the name Abor Origin referring to their identity as the wild man. The common name Adi that denotes hill people and has subgroups of Padams Minyongs Milangs, Pasis. Boris, Bokars, Tangams, Shimongs. Ashings, Karkos, Pailibos Ramos Panges and Komkars. The other groups have four sub-tribes which is Galos Pailibos, Ramos and Bokars. Adi population is mostly confined in the East Siang Lower Dibang valley Upper Siang Siang Shi- Yomi parts of Lohit and Namsai district. The key area of study is Lower Dibang valley district. The Adis have traditionally adhered to the native Donyi- polo faith whereby Donyi means Sun and Polo means Moon that symbolize as the supreme cosmic powers. This belief system influences rituals of marriage between the Adis; it shows their values social structure. However, in the recent times due to the spread of Christianity some new norms of marriage have been introduced among a segment of the tribe on the basis of Christian norms. The paper draws attention to the persistence of marriage ceremonies in traditional manner as well as transformations that have occurred in Adi society as a result of religious conversion.