#Focus on KEBANG – bahut kebang se puchta hai

25th state on 20th February 1987.

● While transforming itself from political isolation to statehood, Arunachal undergone a unique
process of political development.
● scattered Frontier Tracts of this region got politico-administrative identity by merging into
NEFA under North East Frontier Agency Regulation, 1954.
● However, emerging political process continued to remain in pristine primitive conditions.
● heterogeneous tribes confined themselves to their traditional political process by participating
in the indigenous self-governing village council.
● Pandit Nehru's government followed Varrier Elwin's idea of retaining identity of the tribes and
also the British policy of isolation until 1962 when China attacked this part of India threatening
our territorial sovereignty.
o Indian suffered due to ecological constraints and poor infrastructural facilities/
developments, in the region.
o After Sino-Indian war, government - changed its policies towards NEFA and undertook a
number of measures for its speedy politico- economic developments to bring the
heterogeneous tribes into national mainstream.
o Subsequently, NEFA was transferred from Ministry of External Affairs to Ministry of
Home affairs and an all Indian pattern of district administration was introduced therein.
o Thus, Chinese attack -turning point in the process of political development of NEFA.
● However, democratic political process started in NEFA in 1969 when Panchayati Raj was
introduced therein on the basis of Dying Ering Committee's recommendations.
o Panchayati Raj was introduced in NEFA on the backdrop of existing traditional tribal
councils.

Arunachalee PRIs - got ethno-political origin due to diversified and isolated traditions of
heterogeneous tribes. - (ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM)

development of Arunachalee panchayat system can be divided into six different phases:
● Traditional Panchayat System (Self-Governing Indigenous Tribal Village Council).
● Administrative Recognition of Traditional Tribal Councils During British Period
● Four Tier Panchayati Raj: The First Modern Democratic Political Institution
● Three Tier Panchayati Raj- A leap Forward
● Moribund Panchayat System- A Legislative Dilemma
● Revival of Panchayat System.

TRADITIONAL PANCHAYAT SYSTEM (SELF-GOVERNING INDIGENOUS TRIBAL VILLAGE COUNCIL)

roots of Arunachalee Panchayat - centuries old indigenous village councils of different
heterogeneous
tribes.
● These councils are inbuilt system of self-governance, which enabled the tribes to manage the
affairs of the village and to develop a smooth corporate life therein.
● Though the tribes are heterogeneous yet village councils exhibit certain common features.
Like:
o Council derive their authority from ancient times and they are the expression of the will
and power of the people.
o councils are supported by social as well as supernatural sanctions.
o Sacrifices are commonly offered to avoid supernatural dangers and to obtain divine
blessings on the deliberations of the council, and to bring peace between the contending
parties.
 o tribesmen composing the councils are the accepted leaders of a village.
● Besides the leaders, councils always include local priest and officially appointed
village headman, popularly called as Gaon Burah who is issued with red coats.
o Decisions, in councils, are not taken by a formal vote but discussions continue till a
general unanimity is achieved

Villages and its council

● villages in Arunachal - well defined units and are mostly Nucleated villages
● Politically, every village was independent unit and knew no extraneous authority.
● Within its area, each village had exclusive rights over land, forest and river.
● The tribes had no idea of state and government.
● They knew only their villages and village councils.
● Their councils adjudicate the disputes and often distribute the village resources on the basis
of customary laws and methods.

Before proceeding – a few bits of gyaan – which I feel can be useful:

FRAMEWORK FOR ANSWERING – VILLAGE COUNCIL BASED QUESTION

Examples of village councils that existed:

1-Kebang of Adis
Adis - in earstwhile siang district
● highly democratic.
● All adult villagers- members of Kebang.
o All of them can participate in its deliberation - guided by elders called Kebang- abus
o Kebang proceedings usually initiated by elders - Abus
● Usually last for days till amicable solution obtained. If no solution - meeting
adjourned for next session
● To make all parties come at a compromise and not enforce any judgement
▪ This means - No written law - things decided then and there
o Though no restriction on women - usually they don’t participate
 ● Many times - Supernatural guidance is sought - via physical and psychological tests
o Its findings were generally considered final and binding
o This practice is now not encouraged
● Leader of the kebang: Gam/ gaon burah
o Position earned and not hereditary - merit based on different fields
● decisions were decided in a Musup/Dere (village community house)

● 3 -tier structure (given from lower to higher level)

o Dolung Kebang or Village Kebang
● oldest institution and highly organized.
o other two emerged During British times - fear of intervention by British or their
curtailment of right in the plains by British:
● Bango Kebang (inter village council)
▪ deals with the inter village disputes or topics of mutual interests
▪ date and place of this Kebang is fixed few months ahead.
▪ jurisdiction extends over two or more villages, which agree to work together
● Bogum Bokang Kebang (Council of the whole tribe).
▪ highest agency of all Kebangs.
▪ representatives of different Village Kebangs and Bango Kebang participate
▪ issues relating to war, peace, religion, culture and development are taken up
▪ enacts laws for the Adi society and frames different policies for the Adis.
▪ Hence this Kebang is otherwise known as 'Adi Parliament.'

● Besides, these three Kebangs, there is a special purpose council known as Atek Kebang.
o arranged without prior notice for discussing the problems or issues of urgent nature.

2-Apatani Buliang
● is more or less democratic.
● 3 types of Buliang – Age based
o Akha Buliang
● includes important leaders of the village
● These leaders belong to old generation and are consulted on all-important
matters
● Since old - can't take part in day to day affairs - but due to experience ultimate
decision rests with them
o Yapa Buliang
● comprises middle-aged persons who carry out day today affairs of the village,
settle disputes and keep the Akha Buliang informed of all developments.
o Ajang Buliang.
● consists of young person who acts as messengers and assistants of yapa Buliang
● these young leaders’ function as spokesman of the younger generation

● All Buliangs are collectively the upholders of tribal law of Apatani society.
o They enforce customary laws and act as the representatives for public opinion.

● However, Buliangs primarily function as representative of their own clan or clan group rather
than as village headman having absolute authority.
● For their services to the community, Buliangs are rewarded with gifts.

3-Village Council of Monpas

Monpas - dominant tribe of Kameng region of the state.
● have very organized self-governing village institutions at least for the last thousand years.
● Monpa village council exercises power in democratic manner.

Each village has an assembly known as mangma - headed by tsorgen (village headman).
● Every individual of the villages are the members of mangma.
● Tsorgen - elected by general assemblies every third year. Usually from a panel of elderly
persons
o Under him - deputy headmen - called Thumis - assist the tsorgen
● Traditionally, each region (tso) was headed by a tso-tsorgen
o Tsor meaning chief and gen - meaning responsibility.
● Hence, tso-tsorgen - tribal chief whose responsibility was to look after
wellbeing of the region.
o duty of tso-tsorgens - inform about the day today village administration to the council.
o Executive authority in the village - general administration of the village, supervision of
religious ceremonies, organisation of festivals, trial of civil and criminal cases according
to customary laws

● Council - 6 members - another important village institution

o head - known as trukdi, abbot of Tawang monastery.
o Other 5 members were:
● high lama (of position) - #ex officio
● 2 senior monks known as nyiertsangs (supervisor)
● 2 dzongpons (revenue officers who also looked after magistracy).
Function of council:
o council - appoint tso-tsorgens of villages.
● # they just appoint the already elected one
o council settles the disputes on the basis of customary law.
o They receive the tax from the villagers via dzongpons

● Tso - further sub-divided into several units called kachung - generally small villages, consisting
of only a few houses that were represented by a gomi or goptalangpo.
o their duty is to report concerning day to day kachung administration to tso-tsorgen
o provide all sorts of information to each and every household about the meetings,
religious functions and other activities to be held in the villages
o appointed usually through lottery for a period of one year.
o mandatory for a member from each household of a village to become a gomi or
goptalangpo

# only monpa and Khampti has WRITTEN CODE OF LAW to manage their political affair - Buddhist
influence
# for Tawang the system is like England
● Head is the abbot - not elected by the people - so not Republican - abbot is appointed from
Tibet
o He is the member of the council which is the highest governing body
● But the head of the political units i.e. villages – tso tsorgen - is elected by the people
o The assembly - mangma - convened to select the head is like the Gram Sabha of today
● There is a mangma of each village
Common pointer:
# Major offences - land encroachment, breach of sexual sanctions, theft, killing, debt, non-
payment of tax/tribute etc
# Major Administrative works - maintenance of Paths and bridges, fixation of dates of communal
hunting and fishing, finalisation of site of agriculture, tax/tribute collection, protection of their
tribes - army/mercenary
● administrative work possible only if the council is a permanent institution - USE UR MIND TO
FIGURE WHY
● I have no idea about other tribes but for taxation system, maintenance of standing army and
irrigation system, etc - institution must be strong + permanent which was there in Tawang.
● Might have been there in Khampti tribe too and Adi (as Kebang system do seem
more developed) but I’m not sure.
● Guys from other tribes do edit the document if it was there in ur tribe too
# Major punishments - see the document

4-Sherdukpen
● small tribe concentrated in lower hills of Kameng region.
● village council - Jung
o consists of
● village headman - Thik Alchao
o Elected by villagers
o Once elected hold the office till death but if doesn't perform/discharge his
duties - can be removed by Jung Me
o Settles disputes - decision by majority - but final decision rest with Thik who
usually goes by majority
● ordinary members (Jung me)
o Usually Head of every household
● Kachung or Courier
o Assist the headman
o Inform the village about council meeting
o Carry another important message - (therefore COURIER)
● Chowkidar.
o Jung decides cases by general agreement but the final decision remains with headman
Function
● providing speedy justice and restoring good will between the opposing parties.

5-Aka Mele or Raiz

● consists of
o Gaon Burah or village chief
o Assisted by two juniors, Burah and Gibba
● Burrah keeps gaon burah informed of all the local activities and happenings of
village like crime, disputes etc.
o He also presides over the council in the absence of GB
● Gibba is like the law and order keeper - maintains peace in the village
o Watches over people, bad character or other things that might disturb the
peace
o members of the village community.
● Usually the elders are preferred - believe that important issues should be dealt
with "grey haired" and not by youth who tend to be immature
 ● all members of the village participate in meetings of the council.
o Generally, the council meets in open places.
o governing laws are mostly based on customs and traditions of the Aka society.
o In theory - all members allowed to participate
● Actually - influential members by virtue of age, experience and social status guide
the proceeding
▪ The rest listens
o Final decision taken by Consensus
o Thus democratic

● Mele or Raiz:
o Also supreme administrative body of the village.
o jurisdiction extends from ordinary house disputes to inter village conflicts.
o Interestingly the women, particularly widows or daughters of chiefscan borrow the title
and will be known as Aka Rani.
o This is a kind of chieftainship.

In addition to council justice is also administered via Ordeal

● Suspect puts his hands in boiling water - under supervision of priest - Mugou
● Done when the charges are established -esp murder - but the suspects plead not guilty

Village council - jurisdiction limited to village

● At times representatives of different villages are also called to discuss the welfare of the tribe
o Usually it happens after 5-6 years
o But in case of emergency - can be convened anytime
o Decisions taken are binding on all villages participating

6-Nocte Ngothun
Tirap District
Assam contact - therefore Vaishnavism Influence
● Their village council is variously called as Noghun, Ngongthun or Ngnogthit.
o chief - Lowang - heads the village council.
o final decision on any affair after consulting the other members.
o Other members:
o Ngongpa (who assist the chief) - advisor to chief
o Ramba (who functions as priest)
▪ Keeps the villagers informed about various activities and the holding of
Nongthun
o Tanba (chief's messenger)
o other elderly persons.
▪ Guides the chief
Functions:
● council maintains law and order
● solves disputes within the village and with other villages
● undertakes developmental activities.
o Now-a-days these village council are functioning like regular panchayats and looking
after the development and welfare of the village people, besides deciding the disputes.

Inter village disputes- via land encroachment, breach of sexual sanctions, theft etc:
● First decided by respective village council and the decision was conveyed to another village
 ● If the other village didn’t accept the solution then Settlement via HEAD HUNTING

Punishment for most offence is fine and the amount varies from village to village and the nature of
crime

7-Wancho Village Council

● well organized for administration of justice
● council of elders Wanchu-Wangcha.
o headed by the village chief - Wangham
o assisted by a number of members with different functions.
o Wancha - Minister
o Nagopa - priest
o Wangcham - messenger
o Meetings held in the House - Morung - of the Wangham
Functions:
● council takes up all kinds of disputes that occur in the village as well as inter village disputes.
● For inter village - desion made by respective village and conveyed to other via Wangcham

Major offences:
Same as above

Punishment:
● Corporal + death by hanging or drowning
● Recently banned - now mostly fine
● Exile/ Banishment

8-Khampti Mokchup
Lohit district
Buddhists.
Society divided - based on class- therefore distinct social status

● council - Mokchup- governed by chief.

o Generally, the chief - Gohain - is a member of royal clans-Lungking' (Namsum), Mansi,
Lukh-Khum, Mungyak, Chautang and Munglang.
o chieftainship is hereditary in the clan and political authority is vested in the village
chiefs.
o Besides the chief, the village council consists of people from various sections.

Well defined codified law book - THAMSAT

● # law written are not sacrosanct and is interpreted according to changing times

Functions:
● village council settles disputes as per Khampti law laid down in the sacred 'Thamsat' -holy
book -which also contains a good number of secular laws like criminal law, procedure, law of
contract and rules of morality and religion.
o Minimum - 6 Mokchup members including chief to decide legal case - and qualities like
noble birth, fluency of speech, knowledge of law and upright/probity - given in
THAMSAT
o Punishment - acoordingly given based on THAMSAT
● The proceedings of Mokchup are also recorded - Likh ke rakhta hai
Punishments:
● Death
● Fines
● Deportation
● whipping

Religion adds influence to justice - via teachings like karma

● Eg: - belief that sinner will be born in unpleasant situation prevents crime to some degree

9-Village Council of Nishings

Lower Subansiri, Papumpare and East Kameng districts

Nyshi of subansari:
Individualistic - thus lacked central authority to regulate political life
● Unit of administration - family based
o Houses separated via great distance thus prevented well-knit organisation

# |KINSHIP TAXONOMY|: Individual > Family (Various Forms) > Clan > Tribe > Nation

Family based:
● Thus, each related family had its own head - GAM
o Many Gams in a single clan
● Council of Gams - formulates law for the whole community when necessary
● Gams - not hereditary but based on proven traits

Most important individual - Gingdungs - messenger/ intermediary

Functions of gingdung
● Conflict resolving
o Convene meeting - Nele - comrising of the disputed parties and the local elders and the
headmen
o They debate and settle the matter - taking into consideration the wealth of the
defendants

Nyshi of east kameng

Village council: - Nyogam Dona / Nyle Dona
● Village headman - Namping Atobo or Nyele Yanchubo
o Accepted as the most experienced
● Elderly males

Nishings are very much indigenous and the cohesion among them is maintained through blood ties
and community spirit. Like other tribes.
traditional and customary laws are also important for the Nishings.

10-Mishmis
Collective tribe living east of Adis across Dibang river in Lohit district
Two main division
● Idu Mishmi
● Kaman Mishmi
Idu mishmi
● live in widely scattered villages of Dibang Valley district.
● village council - Abbala
o consists of village eleders having wisdom and soundness of judgement.
o Not permanent - convenes when a complaint is lodged or dispute needs settlements
o Long discussion with the stakeholders, visting their houses and agreeing to a
solution
o Aballa is paid for its service via - portion of compensation demamded from
accused

● function of the Abbala is restricted to judicial matters and does not cover village
administration.
o In the decisions of Abbala, Idu sense of justice prevails.
o According to Idu code of justice, a person who has caused suffering to other unjustly
should himself be made to suffer in return.
Punishment:
● Death
● Confinement
● Fine
● Beating

Kaman Mishmi Pharai

● live in small and widely scattered villages in the remote valleys of Lohit district.
● no regular and strong village council.
● Kamans settle their disputes through negotiations.
o settled at Pharai - gathering of local leaders representing each clan from several villages
in the locality as well as the parties to the dispute.
o great chief - Gaon Burah convenes the Pharai.
o After discussion over the dispute publicly, the chairman gives his decision and orders for
compensation to be paid for the victim.

11 Tangsa Village Council

Changlang district.
Many sub groups (dialect variation based) but has cultural affinity with each other
● well-organized village council of elders called by diffenet names by different sub groups
o Khapongwa by Lungchans, Khapong by Yoglis etc.

● council consists of a leader called as Lungwang + few members (called as Sangta, Khamba or
Dedwa) selected by the villagers.
o leader or the head of council is selected from a particular clan, after taking into
consideration his wealth and intelligence.
o Hereditary
● other members of the council represent the various clans.
o Not hereditary - selected on basis of age, clan, status, sex, experience, knowledge in
customs
● ALL MALE - WOMEN NOT ALLOWED
● Council held @ chief’s house
● Villagers take part and speak freely in the council
Functions:
● council adjudicates all disputes in the village.
o leader is very powerful and his judgment is final.

Inter village dispute:

● Both village council sit together

Offense and punishment:

● Same as above
● # no corporal punishment given
● Fine - if money not there then held as captive - slave

12 Singhpho Council
Lohit and Changlang districts.
village council - Tra (Dispute) Thungdai os Siphang (Problem) Thungdai.
● Consist of 3 active members:
o Chief - Gaon Burah as the official representative
o 2 other members selected from among the elder and experienced persons of the village
o Members of the council are known as Singhpho Silang.
● council - not a regular or organised body.
o leaders are specially called at the time of decision over some important matters.

● meeting of the council for the settlement of dispute is generally held in the house of the
complainant.
● entire village attends and takes part in the meeting of the council.
o Women not debarred but their participation seldom

Functions:
● undertakes judicial, cultural and developmental functions for the benefit of the village people.

Conclusion:
● almost all the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh have developed their indigenous type of
village councils, which used to perform threefold functions-judicial, administrative and
developmental.
● type and pattern of village council system differs from tribe to tribe.
● They became popular among the village people because of their democratic manner of
functioning, informal character, less official formalities etc.
● village councils "afforded opportunities to the villagers to develop a sense of initiative and
leadership.
● These time-tested village institutions became the sub-structure on which the super structure
of the statutory panchayat system was introduced in erstwhile NEEFA in the subsequent years.