Introduction:
The Sherdukpens are also a small but most progressive and
promising tribe inhabiting the southern part of the Bomdila range,in
the valley of Tangapani river of West-Kemang district.
Total
population of the Sherdukpen community is 2096 according to the
1981 Census report.The comprise to three villages viz.Rupa,
Shergaon Jigaon and approximately twenty hamlets or Lurek(lu
means hill,rek means cultivation).Some of the important hamlets
are,Thungri,Mukuthing,Mingmachur,Jamyam,Brakpublang,
Gacham,Rangthong,Diksi,Diringthing,Dharmail,Foot-hill,
Killen,Thung(Now-a-days it is Birpur),Soumkchi,Lingcham,
Chillingpa,Lingbaktang and Machakching.However,at present
some of them have settled in Kamengbari area of Bhalukpong circle.
Average altitudes of the Sherdukpen dwelling place lies between
1,624 and 1,981 metres from the sea level.Due to steep hills the
Sherdukpen valley is a low rain-fall area,approximately 30 to 32
inches in a year.
There is inhabitation of two tribes,the Bugun and the Hrusso in
the east,Monpa settlement in the North.The Sherdukpen are fair
complextion and more or less familiar feature of their neighbouring
tribes and mostly with the Monpas,belonging to the
Tibeto-Mongloid stock.They are gentle,calm and quiet and have a
hospitable disposition.
The Sherdukpen society is partiarchal.Monogamy is the feature of the society. Widow marriage permissible. The society is primarily
divided into two classes-Thongs and Chhaos. Another third group
is called Yanlo.

The religion of the Sherdukpens is a unique blend of Buddhism,
traditions and local belief."Losar"(new year) is the main festival of
the people. Another two major festivals Chekar (May/June) and
Kisscaba (Nov.) are performed by them with the merry
makirig. They are too much expert and-found of pantomime dances.

As Status :

Society is not static but merely dynamic. So perceptible changes
have taken place in social and political spheres during the last three
decades. Alike other tribal societies there are village council in the
Sherdukpen community, which bears traditional importance in the
villages. Now-a-days importance is lessened to some extent after
introducing the Panchayati Raj. Village Council is playing also a
positive role within the village in spite of existence of Panchayati
Raj. The Sherdukpen society is democratic. Village council is also
an insatution of democratic pattern.

The myths or oral tradition on origin and development of the
council is related with the history of their migration. They claim that
they came from Tibet. Be Srongtsen Gontoo, a king of Lhasa
married a daughter of Ahorn king. That queen gave birth two sons.
The elder was named. Jabdung Ngowang Namje and the younger
was Japtang Bura. Japtang Bura was designated to rule over the
Sherdukpen territories.

 He was the first king of the Sherdukpens.
He arrived at But and Khoina with his followers and found that the
neighbouring tribes the Akas and the Mijis were at constant war.
He took initiative to stop war situation by supplying salt, cloth and
cattle to them. Afterwards he shifted his capital from But to Rupa.
After Japtang Bura, we did not hear about his descendant. That
Time was a milestone of starting a'new regime or new political setup.
 Autocracy  was ceased and a collective leadership was originated
in the area. After the death of japtang Bura there was created  vacuum in
political and social life.

For filling up the political gap major clans
formed a leadership to establish own authority in their own separate
area. They began to rule within their own jurisdiction .Later these,
so-called chiefs were engaged among each other into conflict, even
into war sometimes. After some days passing of blood-shedding
process within the community, these village Chiefs earnestly felt the
problems of security and protection, even crisis of existence. As the necessity of situation they formed a collective body Jung/Blue i.e village council was originated first for satisfying Thier community interest as a whole. Necessities provided a society to formed or created a new structure. This universal hypothesis of social sciences was underlying behind the myth and oral tradition on the development of the Sherdukpen traditional council and auto 'rity. In course of time and in course of social and political evolution village council was changed with the situation.

The membership of council is hereditary. Gaon-burah is the
keystone of the village council. ThiEk-Akhao/obeousu for gaon burah
and Junge Me for village council are used in local dialect. Gaon
bura is the supreme authority of the village and community.

From daily life to Capital punishment in every aspect of social,
economic, religious and personal affairs were under thejurisdiction
of the village council. But after introduction of Panchayat Raj, the
jurisdiction of the village council is shrinking in many aspect. Now,
the jurisdiction of this institution is confined within the social, religious
and to some extent judicial affairs of the vfflage. This institution
exercises its authority to settle civil and criminal cases such as land
dispute, boundary dispute of two house-holds, marriage disputes,
adultery, breaking the village's rule, property dispute, violence, theft
and rape cases etc. Village council plays an important role to solve
social problems, which seemed to be hampered village peace such
as bustard child, and indiscipline of youths.

 It is noted in this context,
. I, e-village council only can exercise  its power of judiciary when
society or individuals spontaneously, requires its interference on the matter .In social and religious affairs society or individuals accept the functions of this institution. According to tradition and custom whole Sherdukpen community is under Rupa village council jurisdiction centrally . Village council does not exist in every village . But according to approval of Rupa council ,large village like Shergaon may from subsidiary village council. It cannot exercise its power regarding any major issue. Then have to report to the Rupa council as per their tradition. Inter village dispute is settled by negotiation under Rupa village council within the Sherdukpen community. A certain date, favourable to both villages is fixed for the meeting. Representatives of both villages will be present in the meeting. A central place for meeting is fixed at the middle place of two villages or at the Rupa village.
   
   Inter tribal Village disputes are also settled. The villagers who are mostly affected too much for disputes take initiative. Meeting is fixed on a common date, accepted by both the villages.place of meeting is fixed in a middle place of two villages. Gaon buras of two villages councils perform the role of main representatives in the meeting. Place of meeting may be also fixed in any other village . After discussing in friendly atmosphere, they find out the settlement. One Gaonbura of any village (he may belongs to any community)
May act as intermediary if he is invited by both council . In past age if discussion failed,then there was the only weapon i.e.war to settle the dispute. But,now a days ear is stopped. The disputes is sends to local administration for sattlement. In Sherdukpen community there is no council of religious origin.