Paws of Reverence: Dogs as Pillars of Tani Culture

Sketch by Migom

When people speak of Tani's identity and culture, it would often not be complete without mentioning the “Ekki” or dogs. Dogs are an integral part of Tani identity and what makes us. Firstly who are the Tanis? The Tani people are a Sinitic ethnic group, that traces their ancestry to the Sichuan River Basin, and this community forms the majority in the Northeastern State of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides Arunachal, the Tanis also have a considerable population in Upper Assam, and in the erstwhile province of Sikang (Sisang in the Tani Language), in China. However sadly, increasingly many Tanis are forgetting about the importance of these four-legged friends.

To this day, despite their diminished importance, they continue to hold a unique and cherished place in Tani culture, transcending religious boundaries and permeating daily life with their quiet presence. In many Tani households, it is customary to offer the first meal of the day to the family dog. The top layer of rice, considered the best part, is reserved for these faithful companions. This act is more than a simple gesture of care; it is a ritual of respect, acknowledging the dog’s role as a protector and member of the household. For us Tanis, we do not see “Dogs” as pets but instead as family. The first thing we Tanis, teach our kids is to address the dogs as Ayo/Abing, which are important familial honorifics that you only use to address elders. If you are significantly older than the dog it's customary, to call them your children, or as some people give the nicknames of “Alang (Soup)”, Aku Ayak, Marsang Oying, etc.

This article is, therefore, an attempt to look at the Tani folklore to understand how these four-legged companions came to touch the hearts of the Tanis, and the important role they play in our society. Especially during festivals, such as Solung, Nyokum, Si-Donyi, Christmas, New Year, etc., this reverence becomes even more pronounced. For Christian Tanis, it is common to bless the dogs during the Feast of St. Francis, a celebration honouring the patron saint of animals. This is also partly why the Feast day of St Francis, is celebrated with added fervour by the Tanis, unlike Christians in other states of India, or other parts of the world. So do not be surprised if you see them around church compounds when you visit Arunachal. This tradition underscores the belief that dogs, like all living beings, are deserving of spiritual grace and care. Even in the animistic practices of Tani tribes, for those belonging to the Donyi Polo faith, dogs hold a significant place, often seen as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds. They are also known to be protectors of tradition, and as per popular Tani folklore, it's the dogs that will protect you from bad “Ooyus”. In animistic Tani faith, we do not have a concept of God, but we believe that there are spirits- that may be good or bad. These spirits are what we call Ooyu. 

According to Tani folklore, many tanis were suffering due to a large famine and then Kine-Nane, the forest spirit, observed that humans were suffering from starvation and lacked the means to sustain themselves. In her benevolence, she decided to provide them with a gift that would alleviate their hunger: the seeds of paddy, a staple crop essential for sustenance. She chose the dog as the bearer of this precious gift, entrusting the animal with the responsibility of delivering the paddy seeds to humanity. The dog faithfully carried the seeds to the humans, thus ensuring their survival and prosperity. Other folk traditions also say that it was the Dog, that had guided our ancestors when they were fleeing down the siang river owing to a huge defeat in a war.

Historically too, dogs have served as guardians of Tani homes, alerting families to the presence of wild animals or strangers. Even during the large-scale conflicts the Tanis had with the Han and Tibetan Empires, Dogs played a crucial role, as messengers on the battlefront. Their keen senses and loyalty have made them indispensable in daily life. This role as protector is not merely practical but is also enshrined in cultural lore and stories passed down through generations.

As modernity seeps into the remote corners of Arunachal Pradesh, the traditions surrounding dogs continue to thrive, albeit with adaptations. We must preserve this bond, and this should withstand the test of time. Our culture and our language are what makes us Tani, and what’s the use of calling ourselves Tanis, if we do not respect Abotani’s first friend and companion.