Dimasa|Assam-Nagaland Border
The Dimasa tribe inhabit the Assam and Nagaland border and are one of the oldest North-Eastern tribes.
Ancient Dimasa mythology states that over 60,000 lunar months ago, they left their ancestral land after a severe drought and settled at the confluence of the Brahmaputra and Sangi (Ganga). Their name means ‘children of the big river’ (Brahmaputra – Dilao in Dimasa). The Dimasa tribe have witnessed conflicts in recent history (especially with the Karbis).
The Landing Together team met with the Dimasa people to understand the impact recent conflicts have had vis-à-vis community forest rights. The Dimasa have traditionally managed the forest, land and water resources as Commons and the youth of the All Dimasa Students Union have taken the initiative to revitalize community fish ponds. They have a framework of traditional male, female and common property rights in place, according to which they’ve organized their societies.
The majority of Dimasas practice jhum (shifting) cultivation inside the forest. However, after the introduction of eco-sensitive zones, some have had to shift to sedentary agricultural practices.
The Dimasa tribe inhabit the Assam and Nagaland border and are one of the oldest North-Eastern tribes.
Ancient Dimasa mythology states that over 60,000 lunar months ago, they left their ancestral land after a severe drought and settled at the confluence of the Brahmaputra and Sangi (Ganga). Their name means ‘children of the big river’ (Brahmaputra – Dilao in Dimasa). The Dimasa tribe have witnessed conflicts in recent history (especially with the Karbis).
The Landing Together team met with the Dimasa people to understand the impact recent conflicts have had vis-à-vis community forest rights. The Dimasa have traditionally managed the forest, land and water resources as Commons and the youth of the All Dimasa Students Union have taken the initiative to revitalize community fish ponds. They have a framework of traditional male, female and common property rights in place, according to which they’ve organized their societies.
The majority of Dimasas practice jhum (shifting) cultivation inside the forest. However, after the introduction of eco-sensitive zones, some have had to shift to sedentary agricultural practices.
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Website design and development by Purabi Bose. ©purabibose October 2016
Website design and development by Purabi Bose. ©purabibose October 2016
