19/12/2025
The Aka (Hrusso) Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh
The Aka people, who call themselves Hrusso, are a vibrant ethnic community nestled in the picturesque hills of the West and East Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The name "Aka", meaning 'painted', was a name given to them by their Assamese neighbors and later adopted by the British, in reference to their custom of smearing their faces with a mixture of pine resin and charcoal.
Key Cultural Facts
Location and Lifestyle: The Hrusso primarily inhabit the Thrizino, Bhalukpong, Buragaon, Jamiri, Palizi, and Khuppi areas. Their economy is deeply connected to the forest and involves shifting cultivation (jhum), hunting, fishing, and gathering. Their traditional houses are long, rectangular structures built on platforms raised about six feet above the ground using bamboo, wood, and cane leaves.
Traditional Attire and Appearance: Aka women traditionally wear a dark red garment covering the whole body and adorn themselves with elaborate silver ornaments, such as vase-shaped earrings and a silver fillet around the head. A notable feature was the practice of face tattooing (sachiphiu) in a single straight line from the forehead to the chin, a custom that has largely faded now. Men often wear a silky Assamese toga and a distinctive cane cap with two bird feathers.
Beliefs and Festivals: The traditional Hrusso religion is animistic, centered on the worship of Nyezino (sky father) and No-ain (earth mother). They also practice Shamanism and worship the forest as "Thou-gew" (the feeder and source of life). Their culture has seen influence from centuries of contact with Assamese Vaishnavism and Tibetan Buddhism. The Nechido festival, held in November, is a significant celebration of the community's affiliation with the natural world.
Arts and Craftsmanship: The Aka are known for their skilled craftsmanship in basket weaving and wood carving using locally available bamboo and cane. Weaving is a common activity for women, who create their own clothes on traditional backstrap looms.
A Proud History
The Aka people have a rich history, known for their fierce independence and resistance against British colonial rule, particularly under the leadership of chiefs like Tagi Raja and his son Medhi Raja in the 19th century. Their history includes a unique "posa" system, an arrangement with the Ahom kings of Assam for trade and peace, which the British later attempted to formalize and control.
