Khowa

"Khoa redirects here. For the foodstuff, see Khoa (food)"

The Khowa, also known as Bugun in their native tongue, [ [http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft8r29p2r8&chunk.id=d0e638&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d0e638&brand=eschol Tribes of India] ] is a tribal group in India. They live mainly in the subtropical Tenga circle in the sub-dividsions of Wanghoo, Kaspi, Singchung and Tenga within the Bichum and Tenga circles of West Kameng district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. [cite book|title=Festivals of Kameng|author=Ram Kumar Deuri|publisher=Directorate of Research, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh|year=1983|pages=11|isbn=] According to the native legend, they believed that they are the descendants of the Achinphumphulua tribe.

Acting as a basis of their livehood, shifting cultivation is practiced and domestic animals such as cow, horse, pig, sheep, goat, fowl and the mithun are reared. To enrich their diet, wild animals are hunted using simple spears, traps, bows and arrows.

Together with the Miji and Aka, long hair is kept by some in the both sexes. While the both sexes adorn themselves with silver ornaments, the men wear a very long white garment and a very high hat, resembling a Turkish Fez. The women wear a skull cap, sometimes decorated with beautiful patterns. Purple and checkered jackets are worn as well, usually accompanied by another singlet.

The Khowa are followers of the Donyi-Polo religion [cite book|title=Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: Identity, Culture, and Languages|author=Dalvindar Singh Grewal|publisher=South Asia Publications|year=1997|pages=53|isbn=8174330194] and have came under Tibetan Buddhist influence from the neighbouring ethnic group Sherdukpen. Profound Buddhist influence has led to the adoption of many Buddhist rituals and the invitation of Buddhist lamas to participate in their communal rituals. [ [http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft8r29p2r8&chunk.id=d0e638&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d0e638&brand=eschol Tribes of India] ] As a result, many Khowa declared themselves as Buddhist in censuses. [cite book|title=Peoples of the Buddhist World: A Christian Prayer|author=William Carey Library|publisher=South Asia Publications|year=2004|pages=135|isbn=0878083618] [cite book|title=Life Style, Indian Tribes: Locational Practice|author=Shiva Tosh Das|publisher=Gian Pub. House
year=1987|pages=28|isbn=812120058X]

Especially in the village of Sraiba, Kshyatsowai is celebrated by the Khowa, in which the Phabi priest plays an important role in conducting the ceremony and religious rituals. Songs and dances such as Clown and Gasisiu have a close affiliation with their religion.

In 2006, a rare bird Bugun Liocichla was named after the tribe.

References

External links

* [http://www.kolkatabirds.com/hillbirdsofind/netripreportmw.htm Trip Report : Eastern Himalayas (including Eagle's Nest Wildlife Sanctuary)]
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=bgg Ethnologue profile]

Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh