The Mising is a major ethnic group of north east India and second largest tribe in Assam. As per 2001 census the Mising constitutes 17.8 percent of the tribal population of Assam and the total numbers of Mising population is 587,310. They are found mostly in Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh Dhemaji and Golaghat Districts of Assam. The Mising, being riverside people, have special liking to live on the riverbanks in spite of the fact that they have to face the flood of the river during the monsoon. Sometime flood force them to shift their villages. The Mising are still very backward and their socio-economic conditions have not developed. This essay attempts to explore the socio-economic condition of Mising people of Assam. Despite of the development of the socio economic structure of the Missing tribes, there is a gap still remains the socio economic development. Even though constitution provided a strong framework for the development of the Mising tribes they are still remain backward and so still strong foundation for the development of them is needed.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Importance of the Study
3. Objectives of the Paper
4. Methodology of Study
5. Origin of the word ‘Miri’ and ‘Mising’
6. Findings of the Study
A. Social Status of Mising tribes
1. Education
2. Health and Hygienic among Misings
3. Society Structure of Mising Tribes
4. Family Structure of Misings
5. Age Structure of Mising Population
6. Gender Composition and status of women in Socio-Economic Life
7. Housing Pattern among Mising community
8. Social Consciousness among Farm Households
B. Economic status
1. Household Income of Misings
2. Occupational Status
3. Transportation and communication
4. Food Habit and Food Security
7. Economic History of Changes in Mising Tribes
8. Problems in the socio economic structure of Misings
9. Measures for the development of the socio-economic structure of Mising population
10. Constitutional Provisions
Research Goals and Core Themes
This paper investigates the socio-economic landscape of the Mising tribe in Assam, India, focusing on their developmental progress, traditional social structures, and the impact of modernization. It addresses the research question of why this significant ethnic group remains economically and socially underdeveloped despite various government safeguards.
- Socio-economic analysis of the Mising population in the Golaghat district.
- Evaluation of education, health, and family structure within the tribal community.
- Examination of gender roles and the significance of female economic contributions.
- Impact of acculturation, modernization, and food habit shifts on traditional life.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of constitutional provisions for scheduled tribes.
Excerpt from the Book
Housing Pattern among Mising community
Every Assamese speaking Mising village consisted of ten to a hundred houses built on bamboo platforms. Though the layout of the houses was not well planned yet generally the houses, situated on the river-banks, were built perpendicular to the flow of the river. The main items used in constructing houses were wood and bamboo. Most of the houses were built on wooden or bamboo stilts so that the level of the floor was four to five feet above the ground.
The one in the front called the ‘Tungeng’, was used to entertain alien guests, while a small veranda in the back yard called the ‘Yapkur Tungeng’ , was meant exclusively for the use of the house wives. A typical Mising house had only two doors, one in front and the other at the back. The house was not divided into rooms, but small areas were separated only by half partitions with several fireplaces or ‘Merams’ in the same house. The fire places or Merams were constructed by fixing wooden trays gaps, covering these gaps with earth. Over the hearth hung a three-tiered bamboo shelf, which was used to dry fuel and food materials like meat and fish. The fire place was important because the division of the whole house depended on the position of the fire-place. The head of the family sat in the upper side of the house, parallel to the ‘Meram’, while the lower side was generally occupied by the family members for sleeping.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the Mising tribe’s ethnic origin and highlights their current socio-economic challenges within the state of Assam.
2. Importance of the Study: Discusses the significance of analyzing the Mising tribe as a major indigenous group to understand regional development disparities in India.
3. Objectives of the Paper: Outlines the key research goals, including a comparative investigation of socio-economic conditions and the study of modern practices.
4. Methodology of Study: Details the field-based sampling method used in the Golaghat district, utilizing both primary survey data and secondary sources.
5. Origin of the word ‘Miri’ and ‘Mising’: Explores the linguistic and historical mystery surrounding the nomenclature of the tribe.
6. Findings of the Study: Presents empirical data on social status (education, health, structure) and economic status (income, occupation, infrastructure).
7. Economic History of Changes in Mising Tribes: Examines the transition from hill-based subsistence lifestyles to plains-based agriculture and market engagement.
8. Problems in the socio economic structure of Misings: Identifies critical barriers to progress, such as low literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and rigid traditionalism.
9. Measures for the development of the socio-economic structure of Mising population: Suggests policy interventions like education reform and improved connectivity.
10. Constitutional Provisions: Summarizes the legal safeguards and articles provided by the Indian Constitution for scheduled tribes.
Keywords
Mising Tribe, Assam, Socio-economic, Tribal Development, Golaghat District, Literacy, Agriculture, Apong, Women’s Economic Contribution, Acculturation, Modernization, Infrastructure, Constitutional Provisions, Traditional Customs, Rural Economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this scientific essay?
The essay examines the socio-economic conditions of the Mising tribe in Assam, specifically in the Golaghat district, exploring why they remain underdeveloped.
Which specific areas of social life does the study cover?
It covers education, health and hygiene, social and family structures, housing patterns, and the role of women in the community.
What is the main research objective regarding Mising development?
The objective is to analyze their current socio-economic state and compare it with the general population of Assam to identify specific developmental needs.
What methodology was employed to gather the research data?
The study used multi-stage probability sampling, collecting primary data from 100 households across five villages in the Golaghat district, alongside secondary data from government publications.
What are the major themes explored in the main body of the text?
The themes include the shift in agricultural practices, the impact of the traditional beverage 'Apong', the role of weaving culture, and the transition from traditional huts to modern cement houses.
What keywords best represent the content of this study?
Key terms include Mising Tribe, socio-economic, Assam, tribal development, literacy, agricultural transition, and constitutional safeguards.
How does the Mising family structure impact their social life?
The joint family system is dominant (70%), and the study shows that properties like land and livestock are held collectively, which influences their economic stability.
Why are Mising women described as independent?
Mising women are considered independent because they participate significantly in agricultural labor and maintain personal income from rearing livestock, allowing them to manage their own savings.
What is the significance of the traditional 'Apong' beverage?
Apong is a fermented traditional beverage essential to their social and ceremonial life; the study notes its nutritional value but also highlights the cultural shift away from it due to Vaishnavite influences.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. Hemanta Saikia (Autor:in), 2013, Missing tribes in Assam, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/286521
