Digaru in India

The Digaru have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

There are three groups of Mishmis, namely the Digaru, Idu and Miju, each having their distinctive dialects. Their main economic resources are from the land (agriculture) and forest produce. Mishmis are known for their weaving skills, producing shawls, blouses, jackets, skirts, coats, bags and even other products such as bamboo baskets and bead-necklaces. They also trade in these products, yet they are one of the weakest tribes economically in Arunachal.

Mishmis are non-vegetarian. Men and children consume pork as well as beef; eating almost every part of the animal. However, their women eat the meat of small birds and fish. Their houses are made of bamboo and the roof is thatched with long grass. They are constructed on raised platforms, beneath which their domestic animals such as pigs and chickens are kept.


Where Are they Located?

Mishmis are located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, one of the seven north-eastern states in India.

The Idu Mishmi generally live in the Lower Dibang Valley, the Dibang Valley, Lohit and East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They have a rich culture, tradition, costumes and customs. They mainly have an oral tradition and no script. However, recently they formed a script of Roman origin.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Mishmis follow hereditary shamanism, the most important characteristics of which are the concept of one supreme being and a complex system of beliefs based on nature and its spiritual qualities.

They consider the sun and the moon, represented by Donyi-polo, to be the symbol of eternal truth. The Donyi-polo belief system, also known as Phong kelum, and influenced by Buddhist rituals, best explains their religion.

Mithun (a bison-like animal) and pigs are sacrificed in a number of rituals and pujas during festivals. Their world view is also influenced by their belief in good and bad spirits.

They are animistic and believe in the existence of spirits that govern the rule of nature. They do believe in the existence of ghosts (evil spirits). They pray to "almighty sun" and the divine spirit that governs the universe to look into their needs and that no curse be upon them.


What Are Their Needs?

Arunachal Pradesh is a culturally and religiously very sensitive state. There are restrictions for anyone from outside the state entering it or residing there. Any Indian national from outside the state requires a special permit from the government, whereas any foreign nationals are permitted to visit only for a short period and that too only as a tourist.

Arunchal is the first state in India, where a bill restricting change of religion was passed. Nevertheless, in the past several years, hundreds of people have become followers of Jesus. The Spirit of God has been working in the lives of the people and they are thirsty for the Word of God. The fast growing church requires the Word of God in the mother tongue, to establish strong, witnessing congregations.


Prayer Points

Pray for the building of strong relationships with the Government for the overall development of the Mishmi community
Pray for training and guidance for the four personnel identified as mother tongue translators, as they start the translation process
Pray for both the Digaru and Miju to have gexcellent translations of Scripture that will effectively reach every Mishmi person, leading to their transformation


Scripture Prayers for the Digaru in India.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  
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People Name General Digaru
People Name in Country Digaru
Alternate Names Digaru Mishmi; Mishmi; Taraon; Taraon Mishmi; दिगारु
Population this Country 1,500
Population all Countries 1,500
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 16720
ROP3 Code 111959
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Arunachal Pradesh 1,500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.31 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
7.61 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
69.02 %
Islam
0.16 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.24 %
Unknown
22.67 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Digaro-Mishmi (1,200 speakers)
Language Code mhu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Adi
100
Primary Language Digaro-Mishmi (1,200 speakers)
Language Code mhu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Adi 100
People Groups Speaking Digaro-Mishmi

Primary Language:  Digaro-Mishmi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Bible-NT Audio Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Digaro-Mishmi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.