Marriage in tribal societies : acultural dynamics and social realities

The volume at hand includes selected papers presented/submitted in the National Seminar on Marriage in the Societies of Arunachal Pradesh, which was held on 22 and 23 March, 2005, in Rajiv Gandhi University (Formerly Arunachal University) Campus. The seminar was second in the series. Another seminar, almost under a similar title, Marriage Systems in Tribal Societies of Arunachal Pradesh was held on 19 September 2004. The two seminars almost under the same title, and organized within a period of six months are likely to raise some questions about the need of the second one. The point of contention obviously arises on the possibility of duplicity/repetition of themes and issues. Hence, a little clarification.
Arunachal Pradesh is a multi-ethnic state. It accommodates 25 tribes and about 60 minor tribes and sub-tribes. Even among the sub-tribes and their sub-groups, say among the Tangsa, there are apparent variations in many aspects of cultural practices. There are some well-researched tribes such as Adi, Apatani, Khampti, etc. Because of less population and interior habitation of some tribes and sub-tribes, outside scholars have not studied different aspects of their social life. There are not scholars from among these groups to write on their respective cultural practices. In groups where there are educated people they have distanced themselves from their cultural ethos in different degrees either due to conversion to alien religions or due to too much involvement in development process. In a way they have become outsiders to their traditions and customs like diku in Santal community.