The Nishi tribe principally inhabit the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Known as the Nishi (alternative transliteration Nisi) in their own language (also called Nisi), they are sometimes called the Dafla by outsiders, but that term is disdainful.

They inhabit in the Papumpare, East Kameng and Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in the Darrang district of Assam. Their population of around 120,000 thus making up one of the most populous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, consisting about 11% of the state's population. As they are of the Tibetan stock, their language belong to the Tibeto-Burman family.

The Nishi are agriculturalists. The Jhum, which is a form of shifting cultivation, is practised among the Nishi. The principal crops raised include paddy and millet. Rice is the staple food of the people supplemented by fish, meat of various animals, edible tubers and leafy vegetables. A drink known as Apong is locally made from millet.

The Nishi plait and tie their hair neatly the with Tibetan thread at the forehead and a brass skewer passed horizontally through the tied hair. They were also used to wear cane rings round the waist, arms and legs. The men also used to wear a cane helmet surmounted by the crest of a hornbill beak, which comes from the beak of the Great Indian Hornbill with additional decorations depending upon the status of person, is a symbol of manly valour.

However, several organizations like the AWNF and WTI have been trying to stop the Nishi to stop the hunting of these birds for their beaks in order to prevent them from getting extinct. Nature Reserves, like the Pakke Sanctuary, is being set up to protect some of these birds, whilst other artificial materials like fibreglass is being used to replace the real hornbill beak. This idea is spreading, though, and 70% of the Nishi have already accepted this idea. However, the traditional Bopa ceromony of the Nishi is an essential part of traditional ceremonies, the campaign faced stiff opposition, leaving the Nishi feeling very stiff at first but realizing that the extinction of the Great Indian Hornbill will come sometime later, the Nishi slowly but reluctantly acceped the idea.

The clothing of the men consists of a sleeveless shorts made from thick cotton cloth, striped gaily with blue and red together with a mantle of cotton or woolen fastened around the throat and shoulders. The chest was used to be covered by a Mithun (wild bison) skin. Strings made of beads in varying sizes and colours were also worn, mainly for decoration purposes. They used to carry a Dao (short sword) and a knife in a bamboo sheath. Their armament consists of spear with iron-head, a large sword, and a bow with arrows, tipped with poison on it. During a war, both the chest and back are covered with the Mithun hide and over it they wear a black cloak made of indigenous fibre.

The Nishi women generally wear sleeveless mantle of striped or plain cloth. Its upper part tucked tightly over the breast and enveloping the body from the armpits to the centre of the calves and a ribbon is tied at the waist. They also used to wear a girdle of metal disks and cane garters at the waist. Their hair is parted in the middle, plaited and tied into a chignon just above the nape. Their ornaments include multicoloured bead necklaces, brass chains, metal bells huge brass or silver earrings and heave bracelets of mixed metals.

Most Nishis are loyal worshippers of the Donyi-Polo faith, a worship that commemorates their ancestors and belief in several spirits and superstitions, with religious rituals lthat argely coincide with the phases or agricultural cycles. Abo Teni, the primal man who came from Tibet, is considered as the sole ancestor of all Animist tribes of Tibetan or quasi-Tibetan origin. There are currently around some 6,000 "spiritually weak" converted Christians among the Nishi. A small group of Hindus and Buddhists do co-exist as well. Both Polyandry and Polygamy is prevalent among the Nishi, and a rich man may be having as many as eight wives. The Nyukyum is celebrated among the Nishi.

Most Nishi do not like the idea of intermarriage between the other neighbouring tribes, and Polygamy is prevalent among the Nishi.They trace their descent patrilineally and are divided into several clans.

External links

• NISI language (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=DAP)
• Glimpses Of Arunachal Pradesh (http://www.nezccindia.org/ArunachalPradesh/IntroductionArunachal.asp?State=Arunachal)
• Nishi Nyubu Priests (http://www.culturalportraits.com/CPIndia/Religion/Nyubu%20Priests.htm)

Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh
Unified Collective Tribes
Adi - Mishmi
Standard Tribes
Aiton - Aka - Apa Tani - Ashing - Bori - Chikum Dui - Chugpa- Deori - Digaru - Gallong- Khamba - Khampti - Khamyang - Khowa - Hill Miri - Lhoba - Lishipa- Lisu - Padum - Palibo - Phake - Memba - Monpa - Miji - Mikir - Minyong - Miju - Mishing - Nishi - Nocte - Nga - Ran - Sherdukpen - Shyam - Singpho - Sulung - Takpa - Tangsa - Turung - Tutsa - Wancho - Zekhring