AKA TRIBE

Hruso people

Methodology
For preparation of this report, extensive tour was made in the
Aka areas to collect field data. Field data were collected mainly
from three villages of Thrizino circle viz (a) Jamiri (b) Palizi (c) Buragaon. Though the researcher had interviewed many persons
of the community in course of tour, seven individuals of different
ages were particularly interviewed exclusively as informants
considering their maturity, experiences and knowledge. It is worthy
to mention that list of informants includes Shri Sonam Dosusow,
also, a senior legislature of Arunachal Pradesh State Legislature.
Different views from traditional outlook on the topic were analysed
from the research points of view through empirical observations.
Findings and facts were furnished below under following sub heads
categorically.

Introduction :

The Akas are an excellent and promising tribe inhabiting almost the eastern Valley of the Bomdila range in West Kameng district of
Arunachal Pradesh. They call themselves Hrussos in their own dialect. Their main concentration is found in the Thrizino circle.
The numerical strength of the Akas is 2947 only accorcling to the 1981
census which shows females out numbering males. Out of 23 villages Of which Dijungania, Jamiri, and Buragoan are the largest and
important villages. Average altitude of the Aka area lies between 3, 000 to 6000 feet and rainfall  ranges between 40 and 50 inches.

The Aka settlements are bounded by Bugun settlements in the East, the Sherdukpen and thebMonpa areas in the west, Mini territory in the North and on the South by the plains of the Sonitpur District of Assam. In common with other areas of this Sub-Himalayan regions, the Aka territory comporises mountainous tracts, intersected by a number of streams,Viz.the Bichom(Humschu), the Tengapani(Hudju) and the Kheyang(Kheyang).
The Alas are fair complexion with a yellowish brown tint. The nose is flattened towards the eye sockets. The women show prominent external epicanthus eye i.e narrow opening, carrying heavy lidded folds.
       The round face is a special feature to identify an Aka women. Both men and women are stoutly builds, and of medium stature alike other Mongoloid stock. The men measure about 5'4" and women 5' or slightly less.
     The word 'Aka' means  'painted' and it may have been used for them by the people of Assam largely because of their custom of painting their faces profusely with distinctive mark.
 The unit of Aka society is the village community which is essentially homogeneous. The Aka community is patriarchal and polygamy is common in this society , Clan and class exogamy also exists. Polyandry is unknown to them.
  The Akas are divided into two major clans- the Kavastsun and Kaotsun. Apart from these two clans, there is another subclan Miri- Akas, who resides on the other side of the Kaya river, nearer to the Bagnis (Nyishi).  To communicate among themselves, they use own Aka dialect wich belongs to the tibeto Burma group of languages according to the Linguistic survey of India report ( source: The Linguistics survey of India report, compliled by G.A.Grierson, vol,-lll,
Part-1, Calcutta- 1909.

       Architecturally, their Houses are traditional and of a typical model, built with bamboo, cane, wooden planks and logs. The houses are built traditionally on raised platform about six feet above the ground with a long structure .

The mezzanine floor is used for cattle rearing and storing Fuel. Both the shiftingt and the  permanent cultivations are practised by them. Their main products are maize, millet,supplemented with edible tubers and leves, french beans, peas etc. As a part of
recreational activities hunting and fishing are still practised by them to supplement their food requirements.

Religion in the Aka society is a recognised pious behaviour-which
is based on recognition of humanitarian principles Sharmanstic Animist. Their-religion is concerned with natural forces which control
and guide the entire human destiney. In the Aka society, there is an hierarchy of Gods, Deities and spirits. Supreme among the deities
is Tcharo. Their festivals are celebrated in connection with aglicultur  operations. The main and major festivals are Sarok and
Nechido. The festivals are ceremonized in a community feast.

Akas are most promising indigenous tribe in Arunachal Pmdesh.
According to Kennedy, the pioneer scholar,"the Akas are much more enlightened and civilized people than the other hill tribes"and
Nefovill, another eminent anthropologist expressed (1825 A. D) they are capable of great improvement."

It is felt through statistical data and empirical field experience that through the methods of activitiy and developing all that is good
in the traditional way of life, Akas are marching forward  in every
aspect of social and economic life.
 They are stepping forward for a
vast improvement especially in the arena of education.