The Tani people are a Sinitic ethnic group of peoples that share common beliefs, ancestry, and Tani languages. They include the Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Galo, Tagin, and Mishing who live in the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as well as the Luobas & the Na People in earstwhile province of Sisang (Sikang) in China. The Mishmi are also classified under Luobas in China and are considered relatives of the Tanis. The Tanis have a rich cultural heritage, with unique customs, traditions, and beliefs that have been passed down through generations.
Ethnology
Termnology
A Nyisi Warrior
The term "Tani" an endonym, means "the sons and daughters of Abotani."
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Abotani, or Abu Tani, is regarded as the first progenitor or the father of the Tani people. The term "Abu" means father in the Tani language. His descendants are believed to have spread out as the Tanis migrated southwards and formed the various Tani clans such as nyisi, galo, na/tagin, adi, apatani/tawtani, and mising. Mishmis (another clan) are also considered as relatives of Tanis. The Tani language, once unified, has evolved into various dialects and sub-dialects over time, such as akang, aya, passi, tagin, padam, minyong, bori, bokar, damru, apatani, ramo, aashing, shimong, mising, lare, pugo, bangni, yano, milang, etc..
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Today, the predominant religious affiliation among the Tanis is Christianity, with a a considerable segment of the population also adhering to Buddhism, Hinduism and animism (donyi polo) particularly in the form of ancestral worship.
Tani Amòng\Moku
The Homeland of the Tanis
The Tani homeland encompasses a vast region that stretches from southwestern China to northeastern India, with significant concentrations in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and parts of Assam. In China, Tani people are also found in the former Sikang province, which was later integrated and given to Tibet.
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In India, Tani communities are prominent in districts such as Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat, and Golaghat in Assam, along with their primary stronghold in Arunachal Pradesh (leaving the districts of Namsai and TCL which is characterized as a Khamti-Singpho and Naga area respectively), where the Tanis form the majority ethnicty. In China, Tani/Luoba populations are concentrated in regions like Lhunze and Nyingshi, with smaller populations in the Qinghai and Sichuan provinces.
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Apatani Man
District Map of Arunachal Pradesh
District Map of Assam
Origins
The Migration of the Tanis
Tagin Tani
A Mising Child
Sichuan Basin- The Homeland of the First Tanis
The migration history of the Tani people traces back to their probable origins in southeastern Qinghai and northwestern Sichuan, in what is now modern-day China. It is speculated that this migration arose, in order to excape the forced labour requirements and conflicts in china. This region is often referred to as the homeland of the first Tanis. From there, they began a southward migration, eventually reaching the Siang River basin.
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As they migrated, some clans of the Tani people expanded westwards to the Subansiri River basin, forming what is now known as the western branch of the Tani people. Meanwhile, those who settled in the Siang basin became known as the eastern branch of the Tani people.
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Around the 19th century AD, another significant migration occurred among the Tani people, this time in a southwestward direction. This migration led to the formation of the Mising clan. According to historical accounts, this migration was driven by social upheaval within the Tani society.
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Moving out of the hills these individuals sought refuge in the foothills of Assam.
Sichuan and Surrounding Areas
The Migration of the Tani-Luoba People
Ethnicities Close to the Tanis
Relatives
The Galo Tani
The Mishmi people, often regarded as cousins of the Tani people, comprise four distinct tribes: Idu Mishmi (Idu Lhoba), Digaro tribe (Taraon, Darang Deng), Miju Mishmi (Kaman Deng), and the Deng Mishmi. While these tribes emerged due to geographical distribution, they share a common racial stock, and in China, they are often classified as a single group. Linguistically and culturally, the Mishmi people exhibit similarities with the Tani people, particularly the Deng or Tawra clan of Mishmi. Both groups share linguistic roots and cultural practices. Additionally, the majority haplogroup among the Mishmi people is O3, similar to that found among the Tani people, indicating a shared genetic ancestry.
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The Miao people, often referred to as the "mother of all Sino Tibetan ethnicities," inhabit a vast homeland spanning provinces in southern China, including Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan. Some sub-groups of the Miao, notably the Hmong people, have migrated out of China into Southeast Asia. The Miao people share numerous cultural and linguistic similarities with the Tani people and other ethnic groups in the region. It is speculated that the Tani people, along with several other Sinitic ethnicities in China, including many clans within the Han Chinese, may have originated from the proto-Miao population. There are also a lot of commonalities in linguistics, customs, and traditions between the Tani and Miao peoples, despite residing in geographically distinct regions.
Mishmi in Arunachal
Deng Mishmi in China
Mishmi Traditional Clothes
Yidu Mishmi in China
Miju Mishmi
Ornaments of the Miao People
Miao People of China
Young Miao Girl
Young Miao Kids
Miju Mishmi
The Aka, have strong cultural ties with the Miji tribe, often intermarrying with them. Their primary artistic expressions include handicrafts like basket weaving and wood carving. Notably, Aka arts feature the Chinese-inspired Jana flower design, commonly seen on their indigenous haversacks. Additionally, their language and ornaments bear similarities to Tani culture, including tonal features and phonetics.
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The Miji, also called Sajolang and Damai, reside in Arunachal Pradesh, India, particularly in the West Kameng and East Kameng districts. Their population of 37,000 inhabits the sub-Himalayan hills near Assam. They speak the Sajalong language. Traditional Miji attire for women comprises a white ankle-length garment paired with a red jacket adorned with intricate decorations. Similar to the Aka, the Miji adorn themselves with silver ornaments and glass-based necklaces. They also utilize indigenous cosmetics derived from pine resin. Linguistically and culturally, the Miji share close ties with the Tani people.
The Aka or Hrusso
The Miji People
The case of the Puroik
A clan with a history of Bondage
The Puroik people, historically subjected to servitude by the Tani community, primarily speak the Puroik language. Found across the districts including Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Papumpare, Kurung Kumey, and East Kameng along the upper Par River, in India and in Medog, China their population stands at around 7,000 individuals. Although the origins of the sulung is not well known, these people maintain cultural ties with the Khowa (Bugun). Despite their past subjugation, their culture and language are deeply intertwined with the Tani people, making them an integral part of Tani society today. They are as much Tani as any other Tani Clan.
The Puroik People
Emancipated Sulung slaves outside a regrouped settlement