The Tirap district is located in the southeastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. It shares a state border with Nagaland and Assam, an international border with Myanmar and a district border with Changlang.

Geography

Much of the land lies not very far removed from those of the sea level, although a large portion of the district comprises of the Patkoi Hills, which consists of the Namdhapa National Park. The park hosts a wide variety of wildlife species, from mithun to the Himalayan black bear, locally known as takin, to the wild goat.

People

Much of the tribal population consists of the Naga related Nocte, Konyak and Wancho, who traditionally followed Hinduism and Animism, although a sizeable minorty of Christians can be found among the Nocte and Konyak as well. Smaller communities of Tutsa , Tangsa and Singpho can be found in the district as well.

Festive fairs and festivals such as the Loku of the Nocte, Oriya or Ojiyele of the Wancho and the Pongtu festival of the Tutsa are celebrated in full flair.

Especially in Khonsa, Tirap boasts a number of Christian missionaries from Nagaland and other parts of India, which has already converted half of the town population to Christianity. These had resulted in significant proportions of the Hindu Nocte tribe to convert to Christianity, especially in its sronghold in Khonsa. This has resulted the Christian Nocte to practice a corrupt form of Christianity mixed with occult Animist practices. In response, Hindu missionaries and an anti-conversion law has been framed up to prevent further conversions of the tribals to Christianity. Tirap is also home to a sizeable population of the Christian Indian immigrants, Buddhist Chakma and Bangladeshi expratates.

History

Since time in memorial, Tirap has been inhabited by ancestors of the indigenious tribes. Tribes such as the Nocte came to settle in the area during the 16th century, at the time of reign of the Ahoms. The Japanese troops invaded and controlled the area for a brief period in 1945, until the collapse of the Japanese empire.

Of late, Tirap has also been a major target for the NSCN, a Naga rebel group who wants to target at converting the local tribals to Christianity and the creation of Greater Nagaland, using military force. It is also said that Baptist missionaries subtly supports these rebel groups. [1]

Tourism

The vibrant folk-culture of the indigenious tribes has attracted many tourists to visit Tirap. However, missionaries in Khonsa poses a major threat to the future of the indigenious tribes as the slow process of Christian proselytisation takes place.

External links

• Official Website