Ethnobotanical notes on the Hill Miri tribe of Arunachal Pradesh

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1 Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 3(1), January 2004, pp Ethnobotanical notes on the Hill Miri tribe of Arunachal Pradesh Hui Tag* and A K Das Ethnobotanical Lab., Department of Botany, Arunachal University, Itanagar , Arunachal Pradesh Received 25 March 2003 This paper on the ethnobotanical use of plants covers an area inhabited by Hill Miri and some other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. In all 28 species are described, which include 5 medicinal and 11 food plants; remaining 12 plants are put to various other ethnobotanical use. Keywords:Ethnobotany, Hill Miri tribe, Arunachal Pradesh, Indigenous Knowledge System. Arunachal Pradesh is a natural home of more than 4055 flowering plants out of recorded flowering plants found in Indian Subcontinent 1. This lofty mountainous state of India, popularly called a land of rising sun, spreads over a geographical area of 83,743 sq km and is largest among the northeastern states. The state has forest cover constituting 62% of the total area of 68,757 sq km, which is far above the national average. This state of the eastern Himalayas has exceedingly diverse geology, topography and climate that greatly influence its rich floral and faunal heritage. The varied climatic condition ranges from tropical to temperate to alpine zone with 80% relative humidity. It receives heavy rainfall from both northeast and southwest monsoon and favours luxuriant growth of vegetation. Arunachal Pradesh belongs to one of the top 12 mega biodiversity regions of the world 2. Being well within the biological * Correspondent author hot spot, the state is richest in terms of bioresources in India. The state is reported to harbour at least 500 species of plants of medicinal and pharmacological significance 3. A great diversity is also noticed in the demographic composition of the state. There are at least 25 major tribes and 110 subtribes inhabiting total 15 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. They have their varied age-old culture and tradition, which have been handed down from generations through folklore and powerful oral literature. The rich oral tradition forms an intricate web of indigenous knowledge system (IKS) acting as unseen guiding force to tribal lives of this state. Hill Miri is one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh from Mongoloid racial stock inhabiting Lower and Upper Subansiri Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. This tribe popularly called Abotani tribe is well known for its rich traditional knowledge base relating to the use of plant and plant products for curing differ-

2 TAG & DAS: ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON THE HILL MIRI TRIBE OF AP 81 ent types of diseases and ailments, and for other purposes. Agriculture is the main occupation of this tribe who practices jhum or shifting cultivation for sustenance of livelihood. They live in perfect harmony with nature and derive their minimum daily requirement from their natural surrounding. Their legends and age-old mythology have direct link with origin and conservation of floral and faunal diversity. They have their own ethics, which help them in conservation of rare and endangered species. They have good knowledge in locating flora and fauna of rare and endangered categories and they spread message to their fellow friends for its conservation. The medicinal and nonmedicinal plants used by the Hill Miri tribe are also widely used by other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and tribes of other northeastern states. The present paper deals with plants of ethnobotanical importance, which are popularly used as food, medicine, in rituals, and other ethnobotanical significance. The information is based on preliminary ethnobotanical survey conducted during the year in 32 villages covering 200 families of Hill Miri tribe. This report is likely to pave the way for further research on potential plants for ascertaining their sophisticated use. In all, 28 species of plants belonging to different genera with the parts used as food, medicine, etc. along with their habitat, folk names and distribution are discussed. Available literature on IKS of Hill Miris and other tribes 4-12 was consulted. Ethnobotanical information given here is not recorded earlier. Plants cited here were also cross checked 13 to establish their ecological status and availability in the area covered under study. Methodology Since ethnobotanical study is entirely a field-oriented work, utmost care has been taken before, during and after field trips. Four circles of the two districts, viz. Upper and Lower Subansiri of Arunachal Pradesh of Hill Miri dominated areas were chosen for fieldwork. Areas covered are Raga, Bopi, Muri Mugli and Daporijo circles which come under the geographical location of to N latitude and E longitude. Initially in the year 2001, 32 villages of Hill Miri were chosen for ethnobotanical survey and 14 villages were brought under coverage. Prominent local resource persons were motivated and interviewed regarding ethnomedicinal use of different plant species available in their locality, countryside and deep forest. Folk tales and mythological stories narrated by the resource persons relating to plant use and conservation were collected and subsequent documentation was carefully done. The second phase of ethnobotanical survey in the Hill Miri villages was conducted during the beginning of 2002 in which 18 villages were brought under survey and same methodology was followed during the field trip as in the first trip. The collected plant specimens were verified consulting the herbarium specimen of leading research institutes of the northeast, viz. Botanical Survey of India, Itanagar, State Forest Research Institute, Itanagar, and Research Herbarium of Arunachal University. Botanical names along with vernacular name in Hill Miri,

3 82 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 3, No. 1, JANUARY 2004 and the use of each plant have been compiled and documented. Ennumeration of Plants A brief account of collected plants, botanical names, families, local names and ethnobotanical use is given below: Alpinia nigra Gaert. (Zingiberaceae) Bugbii telli (HM)* Common in shady places, forest margin and wasteland. Leaves are used as packing material during local beer preparation. Ripe fruits are sweet in taste, eaten after removing the red cover. Ariseama consanguineum Sch. (Araceae) Biram sing (HM) Common in moist areas and in abandoned jhumland. Freshly cut stem exudes a juice. It is rubbed in the arrowhead before application of arrow poison. In doing so it is reported to slow down the process of drying of poison. Local people regard biram sing as stick of python. Aconitum ferox Wall. (Ranunculaceae) Omli (HM) Underground roots and tuber remain dormant during winter; leaves and flowers appear for a brief period of 2-3 months usually from June to August when snow starts melting. Common in snow clad areas. Underground roots and tubers are collected during summer and are used in arrow poisoning by local hunters to kill ferocious animals like wild pig and bear. Alnus nepalensis D. Don (Betulaceae) Taram sin (HM) * HM = Hill Miri name Common in secondary forest. Used as firewood and in fencing. Easily propagated by cuttings. Wood light and dries up easily. Artemisia nilagirica L. (Asteraceae) Tapen nain (HM) Common in open places and in wastelands. Young aromatic leaves are used as handkerchief during summer months; they act as disinfectant and prevent excessive sweating. Bauhinia purpurea L. (Caesalpiniaceae) Ghai sin (HM) Wood tough and durable, used as fencing material; young leaves eaten cooked. Flowering in April-May. It is a seasonal indicator to the local farmers to begin their ground clearing work in forest for traditional agricultural practices. Bambusa pallida Munro (Poaceae) Hesh (HM) Culms are used as wall, roof and rack materials in traditional hut making; young shoots are edible. Bidens pilosa Linn. (Asteraceae) Buki orh (HM) Common weed of abandoned jhumland and degraded forests. Young leaves are eaten cooked as vegetable. A notorious exotic weed in jhumland. Calamus erectus Roxb. (Arecaceae) Tar raah (HM) Leaves are used as roof materials. Stems are used as pestle for husking rice. Young dry leaves are used in arrow for keeping balance. Calicarpa arborea Roxb. (Verbenaceae) Yul sin (HM)

4 TAG & DAS: ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON THE HILL MIRI TRIBE OF AP 83 Bark is chewed along with leaves of Rubus hexagynus as masticatory. Wood is light, easy to dry up, good as firewood. Also used as fencing in jhumland. Carex cruciata Wall. (Cyperaceae) Tale pisir (HM) Usually grows in forest margin and open secondary forest/wasteland. Entire plant is used in local rituals. Clerodendrum colebrookeanum Walp. (Verbenacae) Potto ooh (HM) Common in forest margin and secondary forest. Leaves are eaten cooked; used to cure stomach trouble; leafy twigs when brushed over forehead cure headache. They induce sleeping when taken in large quantity; also used to reduce weight and blood pressure. Taste bitter. Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon (Verbenaceae) Borta pipik (HM). Leaves are used for cure of headache by brushing around the forehead. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro (Poacaeae) Eh heroom (HM) Used as housing material, for basket making and other local handicraft items. Culm with long internodes often used as vessel for carrying water and traditional Apong (Wine). Young shoots when fermented are sour in taste, popular ingredients in local vegetable items. New shoots appear during July to August. Dalhausia bracteata Grah. (Fabaceae) Yorko kusuk (HM) Three or four leaves packed in bundles are used by tribesmen to cover the forehead, tied on with knot. Also used as wrapper for locally made cigars. Erythrina stricta L. (Fabaceae) Tagek sin (HM) The plant is used as fencing tree, also considered as guard tree by the local tribe during religious ceremony, worshiped as symbol of integrity and confidence. A seasonal indicator to local farmers to begin agricultural activity as its flowers bloom at the onset of spring. Ficus religiosa Linn. (Moraceae) Sirek sin (HM) Found in tropical and subtropical evergreen forests, capable of growing in moist as well as dry tropical forests. Resinous gum exuding from the bark is used for catching birds. Local hunters use small proproots hanging down as string of bow. The tree is revered as abode of lord of forest (Doji) who is master of jungle lives according to tribal legend. Gynocardia odorata R. Br. (Flocourtiaceae) Teek sin (HM) Occurs in dense tropical and temperate forest, also found in secondary forest margin. Fruits are used against toothache. Fruits are also a food for Himalayan civet. Traps for civet hunting are laid in the plant. Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae) Piyak (HM) A herbaceous seasonal pulse plant often grown along with paddy in jhum fields. Seeds are cooked and eaten. Hedychium coccineum Sm. (Zingiberaceae) Uii telli (HM) Young shoots are eaten raw to cure asthma and indigestion. Plants can be cultivated for ornamental purposes.

5 84 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 3, No. 1, JANUARY 2004 Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) (Convolvulaceae) Egin pegre (HM). Leaves are source of a vegetable; tubers are sweet when roasted or cooked, staple food among tribes. Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Sch. Bip. ex Oliver (Asteraceae) Dindo eh (HM). Local tribes use the leaves as paste in the treatment of inflammation and swelling. It is also said to have antihelminthic properties. Musa velutina Wendl. (Musaceae) Kodok sin (HM). Ripe fruits are edible. Small seeds can be swallowed. Consumption of more than 3-4 fruits may cause constipation. Not recommended for children. Phrynium capitatum Wild. (Marantaceae) Kamyir ook (HM). Broad leaves are used as packing materials for food items. Extensively used in religious ceremonies among the local tribes. Considered as holiest of plants. Rubus ellipticus Sm. (Rosaceae) Ginjek berek (HM). Fruits sweet when ripe and eaten. Smilax perfoliata Lour. (Liliaceae) Ridik teer (HM). The plant is used in ritual particularly to cure urinary troubles. Trema orientalis (L.) Blume (Ulmaceae) Yal sin (HM). Bark yields strong fibers used for tightening fence of agricultural fields. Wood is light and used in construction of platform in local houses. Viscum monoicum Roxb. (Loranthaceae) Petta techor (HM). Seeds are source of resin used to catch wild birds. Discussion From the foregoing account it is seen that the Hill Miri tribe has a very rich lore of traditional knowledge pertaining to the use of plant resources available around them. Out of 28 species described, 5 species are used as medicinal plants, 11 are used as food plants, and the remaining 12 species are put to a variety of uses. Except the two bamboo species and Ipomoea batatas and Glycine max all other plants grow in wild condition mostly in secondary forests. Bamboo species are also found to grow wild. I. batatas and G. max are usually cultivated and sometimes found as an escape. The IKS of the Hill Miris of Arunachal Pradesh presented here is however not exhaustive. More interesting and useful information on ethnobotany is likely to be revealed in course of further study. The study has revealed that the ethnobotanical knowledge is confined to older generation only. So, it is feared that with the passing of time some valuable information relating to ethnobotany of the region may be lost. So a timely documentation of the indigenous knowledge system is essential. References 1 Hajra P K, Verma D M & Giri G S (eds.) Materials for the Flora of Arunachal Pradesh, Vol. I, (Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta), (1996), 29 2 Anonymous, Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio Summit), (1992), Anonymous, Medicinal Plants of Arunachal Pradesh, State Forest Research Institute Information Bulletin, Chimpu, Itanagar, (1998), 2. 4 Kirtikar K R & Basu B D, Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol. I, (Lalit Mohan Basu, M.B 49, Leaser Road, Allahabad), (1933), 47.

6 TAG & DAS: ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON THE HILL MIRI TRIBE OF AP 85 5 Jain S K, Glimpse of Indian Ethnobotany, (Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Ltd., Calcutta), (1981), Hooker J D, Flora of British India, Vol. I VI, (L. Reeve & Company, 5, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London), ( ). 7 Haridasan K, Bhuyan L R & Deori M L, Wild Edible Plants of Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Forest News, 8(1&2) (1990) 4. 8 Hajra P K (ed.): A Contribution to the flora of Namdhapa, Arunachal Pradesh, (Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta), (1996) Bhuyan R L, Some commercially important medicinal plants of Northeast India, Arunachal Forest News, 18 (1&2) (2000) Murtem G, Common wild vegetable of Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Forest News, 18(1&2) (2000) Sarmah A, Haridarshan K & Bhist N S, Development of medicinal plants as an economic venture in Arunachal Pradesh: Prospect and Constraints, Arunachal Forest News, 18(1&2) (2000) Hajra P K & Baishya A K Nayar M P & Sastry A R K, Ethnobotanical Notes on the Miris (Mishings) of Assam Plains in: Jain S K (ed.) Contribution to Indian Ethnobotany (Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur), (1991) Nayar M P & Sastry A R K, Red Data Book of Indian Plants, Vol. I, (Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta), (1987) 352.