Pujom Ete and Montu Kumar Daimary

Date of Publish: 2023-05-02

In photos: Traditional environment-friendly housing pattern of the Galos of Arunachal Pradesh

 

Galo is one of the major and colourful tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, primarily living in the districts of West Siang, Leparada and Lower Siang. According to 2011 census, the Galo population is estimated at around 1.3 lakhs. Linguistically, the Galos speak Tani language that belongs to Tibeto-Burman branch. In terms of religion, the Galos mainly follow "DonYi-Polo" (sun and moon), the indigenous form of belief system. They traditionally used to depend on agriculture although changes in occupation have been taking place.

The traditional housing pattern of the Galos demonstrate an attempt to meet the challenges of environment with the building material that the same environment offers. Most of the materials used for building the houses such as bamboo, woods, ropes made from bamboo, pan leaves etc. are taken from the surrounding environment. For instance, the pillars are made of woods, the floor and the walls are made of split bamboo tied with cane strings and the list goes on. In the process, traditional houses of the Galos show how successfully they have balanced their available resources to suit the climate and environment.

No doubt, there have been some changes in use of building materials; for instance, posts and pillars made by brick and cement instead of wooden poles or tin roofs instead of roofs made by leaves. Because it reduces the burden of regular maintenance of the house.

Types of houses among the Galos:

First of all, let’s talk about the villages. The Galos usually prefers to set up their villages on the high spurs of hills; but we also see some villages situated on the lower side of the hills or at the foothills. However, it is important to note that the existence of water source nearby the area plays an important role for the selection of site to establish a village. Houses in Galo villages are compact and constructed very close to each other. While talking about the number of houses, it varies from village to village.

View of Paya Village (Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh)

Almost, in every village we can see a gate with the village name and welcoming! This is the village (Bene Village) where we took most of the photos.

Entrance gate Bene Village (Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh)

In Galo society, there are mainly four types of houses. They are locally called as Naame, Dere, Nakum and Nasu.

Wooden Pillars

The Galo houses whether it is Naame, Dere, Nakum or Nasu, are usually built on pillars above the ground (depending upon height and fall of the slope); since, on the hill, lands are uneven; the wooden pillars are used to obtain the level for the floor.

View of different types of Galo houses

Naame, among other, is the main house in which family members live.

Naame (the main house)

Along with other types of Galo houses, Naame too is rectangular in shape; with the long slanted roof with an open platform attached to the main structure and hardly with any windows. The house is surrounded with railing in all the four sides through which we can move around. There are mainly two doors; for which two ladders for entrance and used separately by male and female members of the family. The front ladder is usually used by male and rear end ladder is used by the female members.

Ladder for the entrance for Male

Just after entering the main door, we can see a big hall that serves as the bed-room, living-room and also dining room.

Pinte Miram (First Fire place)

First, we will see two fire place (locally called as Miram) inside the house. Front one or first one is considered as the main and locally called "Pinte Miram", where all the members of the family (also guests) use to sit around, discuss and do other activities (like cooking). At the same time, it is also important to note that the four sides of the fire place have different name, meaning and functions. The four sides of Pinte Miram are locally called as- “Nyode”, “Nyosi”, “Baago” and “Udu”. “Nyode” is the place where usually the head of the family sits. “Nyosi” is the side for female members. “Baago” is for the male members as well as for male visitors. "Udu" is the place where unmarried family members sit. Whereas in today’s modern days the sitting position are not very much restricted.

The second fire place one is known as "Pimme Miram".

"Pimme Miram" (Second Fire Place)

Earlier, Pimme Miram was mainly used for burning the coating layer of food grain, usually for preparing local wine known as "Poka". However, now a days, it is used for cooking as well; especially when there is some occasions and no enough space left in "Pinte Miram".

Interesting to note, in both the fireplaces there are hanging platforms; on which meat, fish, chilly, salt etc. are preserved. During the time of rainy season, the grains are also dried on the hanging platform with the heat of fire.

Rapko (Hanging Platforms)

The hanging platforms over the fireplace (locally known as Rapko), which is of three trays and suspended one above the other. The lowest tray is used for smoking fish and meat. The next higher one is of bigger size has a mat on it, where paddy and other grains are dried. The topmost tray of still bigger size is used for keeping utensils and other household articles.

By side of the fireplace there is a place called “Nyode”. "Nyode" is the place in which Bisol's or Mithun (Gayal) horns and wild pig's teeth, beer's teeth etc. are decorated as “trophies” of honour for hunting.

Nyode

Attached to Nyode, there is a place called “Baago” in which, the hunting equipment like bows and arrows are kept.

Baago

Nasu (Granary)

Nasu (Granary)

Nasu, means the granary where the villagers store their crops like rice, maize, millet etc. The Nasus are usually built on the outskirts of the village because of fire safety purpose. Because, if there would be any fire accident in the village; the granary would be not damaged. And also to prevent the entry of mouse into the granary, large wooden lock carved into round shape to overlap the wooden pillars locally called Pobar is used.

Dere (Community Hall)

Dere

Dere (community hall) is one of the most important spaces of Galo society. Dere plays very significant role in various aspects of the Galo social life. Firstly, any discussion or decision regarding any issues related to the village are done in the Dere. It is also considered as local court room; for instance, whenever any conflict arises in the village, the issue is discussed and settled down in the Dere. The Dere is also used for the celebration of festival like Mopin and other ceremonies.

Nakum

The fourth type of house of the Galo community is called Nakum. Nakum is generally found near the agricultural field and jhum cultivation. The Nakum is used during cultivation for resting, cooking refreshment etc. It is also used for other activities like- threshing, drying and cleaning of paddy grain.

Text and photos: Pujom Ete and Montu Kumar Daimary

About the authors:

Pujom Ete is a student of M.A. in Sociology, North East Frontier Technical University, Aalo, Arunachal Pradesh and can be reached at [email protected]

Montu Kumar Daimary is Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, North East Frontier Technical University at Aalo in Aruanachal Pradesh. He can be reached at [email protected]