Padam people
Padam is a sub-tribe of the Adi tribe of Abotani clan, comprising major clans Borang, Pertin, Ratan, Perme, Lego, Saring, Yirang, Megu and Tayeng. Padam makes up 30 to 35% of the Adis and is the strongest sub-tribe of the Adis.They were warriors, and fought against British. Their indigenous land is watered by the Yamne river flowing through the valley. Although it is almost 70 kilometers from Pasighat, it resides in Upper Siang district and all over Lower Dibang Valley and makes up about 50 percent of Lohit district. Padam people have their major festival as Solung Lune, Solung etor[1] or solung lutor and unying aaran.
They usually grow their food, mainly rice. The padam people eat birds, animals (pig, cow, Mithun). They are great hunters and usually have licensed guns and eyok (long metal swords).
Padam men wear red coats with a blade design on the back and a cotton cloth on the bottom and bamboo helmets with tigers teeth on their head with naturally coloured stones as necklace called tadok, whereas women wears gale on top of their head and a black cotton cloth with gale on the botton, they wear necklaces called sondorong as their traditional dress.
References
- "Adi community of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates 'Solung Etor' festival". Assam: The Sentinel. 15 May 2019.
