Publication Details
Abstract
Noctes are one of the major tribes of Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh. The present research work focuses on the customary practice of marriage, property and land rights and also the emerging dynamics with modernisation. In regards to marriage, the arrange marriage form has been rarely practiced. In the early days, it was mostly popular in between the families of chiefs but was not forceful in nature. The bride and groom have to perform certain marriage rituals. These rituals differ from one village to the other. The dowry system practiced in the other parts of India has never been part of the custom of the Noctes. There is a custom similar to bride price practiced in upper Nocte villages. The ceremony is termed as thhako or deephak. This ceremony is not practiced by the lower area Nocte villages. They have a ceremony termed Han koh in which bride takes certain traditional items to the groom’s house. The modernisation has resulted in addition of certain modern items along with the traditional items. The influence from the other communities in India can also be felt. In regards to ancestral property and land rights Nocte women have very limited right. They are inherited by the eldest son of the family. The self-made properties of the parents can be handed over to the daughters but the same is not possible for ancestral property. In the lower Nocte area, the first daughter inherits the traditional jewellery of the mother during marriage which is later inherited by her daughter. The same is not practiced in upper area Nocte villages.