Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Homeland
Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh
Formally known as Tirap Frontier Tract, the Nocte tribe is concentrated in the southernmost part of Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap District. The district measures approximately 2362 square kilometres, surrounded by unique picturesque hills. It lies between the latitudes 26º 38’ N and 27º 47’ N and the longitudes 96º 16’ E and 95º 40’ E.
The district's name has been derived from the River Tirap, which originates from a high peak in Laju Circle. The river flows from the southeast to the northeast part of the district and then crossing over to Changlang district and finally joins into the Buri-Dihing river near Ledo of Assam. It shares a state border with Nagaland and Assam, an international border with Myanmar and a district border with Changlang and Longding Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Changlang bifurcated from Tirap in 1987, and Longding in 2012.
Pontuan, Assam
In 1814, under the lead of Lowang and Mongwang families of Namsang, a small group of Noctes belonging to various villages came down from the hills and settled on the banks of Dihing River at Jeypore in Naharkatia (Assam), which is about 30 kilometres away from the tribe’s mainland. This Nocte village in Assam is called Pontuan. As of 2020, there are around 38 houses in Pontuan village with a population of not more than 200. Read more on Pontuan Noctes.
Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh
A considerable number of Nocte families reside in Rajanagar area of Changlang district.
Ethnic Related Tribes
Wancho
Wancho tribe is one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. They are concentrated in Longding district. Oriah is the name of their major festival, which is celebrated on February 16, every year. In 2019, Banwang Losu developed a Wancho script.
Tutsa
Tutsa tribe resides in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Pongtu is the name of their major festival. It is celebrated every year on April 11.
Ollo
Ollo tribe belongs to Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Worang is the name of their festival, and is celebrated every year on February 12.
Tangsa
Tangsa tribe is one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. They reside in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Moh-Mol is the name of their major festival, and it is celebrated every year on April 24.
Naga
Nocte and all the above-mentioned tribes are ethnically related to the Naga tribe of Nagaland. There are many Naga tribes such as Konyak, Tangkhul, Angami, Ao etc. Every year, they celebrate Hornbill Festival on December 1, as the state festival of Nagaland.
Speculations
The following articles are speculative in nature, and open to interpretation:
1. Wa Tribe
The Wa people have the traditional customs very similar to those of the Noctes, the Wanchos and the Naga tribes. Wa are an ethnic group that lives mainly in East Kachin and North Shan of Myanmar and Southwest Yunnan of China.
Cultural Similarities between Wa and Nocte
Log Drum
They both have the practice of carving out a large hollow drum from a single tree and then dragging it to the village. The drum plays an important role in their culture and is used during festivals, attacks, meetings etc.
Head Hunting
Head hunting was parcticed by them and the head taken from their rivals were kept in a designated place for display.
Chieftainship
The villages are headed by a hereditary chief (usually the head of the oldest clan). The chief was assisted by a council of the heads of other clans and a religious expert.
Marriage
They predominately practice monogamy. However, there are few instances of polygamy. Marriage within the same clan is considered a taboo. The most preferable match for a man is to marry his maternal uncle's daughter.
Food Habits
Both the cultures put immense importance upon the consumption of betel leaves, areca nuts and edible tree barks. The Noctes used them for religious ceremonies and before a festival a ritual called Sali Hun is performed where the girls go to forest and collect edible tree barks.
Juruh Festival
Juruh is a community fishing event observed by the Nocte tribe. It is done in the month of April. Concoction paste extracted from tree barks function as a temporary hypnosis agent resulting in bounty fish harvest, mostly fishing nets are employed by the villagers.