Ethnicity

Arunachal Pradesh consists of 26 main tribal strains. They are divided into numerous clans and sub-clans, each with a distinct linguistic, ethical, cultural, and social identity that sets them apart from each other. The population is therefore a mixed conglomerate to the point that one tribe differs from another in marked features such as dress, religious faiths, food habits, language and racial origin. There are three main religions in Arunachal Pradesh. The tribes such as the Monpas and Sherdukpens in Kameng and Tawang district, who came in contact with the Tibetans in the north, adopted Lamaism of the Buddhist faith while the Khamtis in Lohit district, who are an early migration from Thailand, practice Mahayana Buddhism. There is a small population of the Noctis and Wanchoos in Tirap district whose long association with the Assamese to their south converted them to Hinduism. They believe in a supernatural being that has different names among different tribes. The High God is considered to have two different existences-one in the Heavens and the other on Earth.

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