Tangsa Naga
The Tangsa tribe, also known as the Tase, lives in the Tirap and Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. A Naga tribe, they are well-built and of medium-stature.
They are divided into thirteen sub-tribes, namely:
Dress
As of today, the younger generation have adopted the Burmese costume and no longer keep long hair.
Traditionally, the Tangsa kept long hair in both sexes, which is tied into a bun and covered with a piece of cloth, known as the Khu-phak. The menfolk wear a green lungi, which is lined with yellow, red and white yarns, and accompanied with a sleeveless shirt. On the other hand, the costume of the womenfolk include an artistically woven petticoat, which acts as the lower garment, and a linen blouse.
Lifestyle
Practicing Shifting cultivation known as Jhum by using simple manual tools, the Tangsa raise crops that include paddy, millet, maize and arum, and vegetables. Rice beer, made from tapioca and rice, known as suwe, is consumed along with tea.
Owing to the climate, the Tangsa live in silt houses, which are divided into many rooms. Like the Nocte, the Tangsa have separate dormitories for men, known as Looppong, and Likpya for the female.
As an united tribe, the Tangsa believed in a joint family system, and property is equally divided between all family members. A tribal council, known as Khaphua, is administered by a Lungwang chief, who sees to the daily affairs of the Tangsa tribe.
Religion
Followers of the Donyi-Polo religion, the Tangsa believed in a supreme being that crated their existence, locally known as Rangfrah, although belief in other deities and spirits is maintained as well. The funeral festival of the Tangsa, Mol, asks for a bumper crop as food, in particular pig, is offered to the dead. A feast between villagers is held by the bereaved family. After dusk, man and women start dancing together rhythmically with the accompanying drums and gongs.[1]
Theravada Buddhism has influenced the Tangsa, and a few have converted to the religion. Of late, a minuscule minority of converted Baptist Christians do exist as well.