East Karbi Anglong district

Etymology

Karbi are a tribe living in Assam. Anglong is a Karbi noun word for Hill(s), (it also refer to Mountain(s), both the noun share the same word). Literally Karbi Anglong means Hills of Karbi people.

History

During the pre-British rule the territory was part of the Dimasa Kingdom till the demise of Sengya Tularam Hasnu in AD 1854. After his death it went into the hands of the British under which it was declared a ‘Scheduled District’ constituted in 1874. Later, Mikir Hills tract was constituted as "Partially Excluded areas" under the Govt. of India Act, 1935. On November 17, 1951 a new district, the United Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills district was created by combining some parts of the districts of Sibsagar (now Golaghat), Nagaon, Cachar and United Khasi and Jayantia Hills district of present-day Meghalaya state. This was followed by bifurcation of the erstwhile district of United Mikir and North Cachar Hills district into two separate districts — Mikir Hills district and North Cachar Hills district — on 2 February 1970. Mikir Hills district was renamed as Karbi Anglong district on 14 October 1976.

In 2016, the district was divided into two, the western part including Hamren, Baithalangso and Donkamokam and other adjoining areas forming the new district of West Karbi Anglong. Hamren is made the headquarter of the newly created district.

Economy

In 2006, the Indian government named Karbi Anglong one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the eleven districts in Assam currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Industry

One of CCI working factory (out of three) is called Bokajan Cement Factory in Bokajan. Its product is exported to the whole country.

Rubber

There are several Small scale industries which involves in mining and manufacturing.

Ginger

Karbi Anglong is known for its premium quality organic ginger. Karbi Anglong ginger has been accorded geographical indication (GI) rights by the GI Registry of India. Karbi Anglong produces the best organic ginger in the world. Growers of Karbi Anglong produce mainly two varieties of ginger-Nadia with high fibre and Aizol with less or no fibre. Aizol is more in demand and has negotiating value in domestic as well as international markets.

Karbi Anglong ginger exists from the time of formation of the district in 1951. Ginger are grown in Singhasan Hills, Khonbamon area. Initiation by Ginger Growers' Cooperative Federation Ltd (GINFED) led to the popularity of Karbi Anglong Ginger. The demand for organic ginger produced in Karbi Anglong is phenomenal. Ginger of Karbi Anglong is also exported to Germany.

The average annual production of ginger in Karbi Anglong is 30,000 tonnes. About 10,000 farmers are growing this items.

Divisions

The district has three sub-divisions:

Diphu Sub-Division:

Diphu Revenue Circle

Phuloni Revenue Circle

Bokajan Sub-Division:

Bokajan Revenue Circle

Silonijan Revenue Circle

Howraghat Sub-Division

Howraghat Revenue Circle

Constituency

The four Vidhan Sabha constituencies of the district are Bokajan, Howraghat, Diphu and Boithalangso. All are part of the 3 S.T. Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency. Diphu town is the district headquarter. Other towns of this district are Bokajan, Dokmoka and Howraghat. Total number of villages in this district is 2633.

There are four Assam Legislative Assembly constituencies in this district: Bokajan, Howraghat, Diphu, and Boithalangso. All four are designated for scheduled tribes. They are all in the Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency.

Population

Karbi people form the majority of the population. According to the 2011 census Karbi Anglong District has a population of 965,280,

This gives it a ranking of 451st in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 93 inhabitants per square kilometre (240/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.58%. Karbi Anglong has a sex ratio of 951 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 74%. with Male and Female constituting 82% and 65% respectively.

Languages

Karbi is the prominent language in the district. Other spoken languages include Dimasa (Grao-dima), Kuki (Khawchung Thadou), Nepali, Assamese and Aiton (approximately 1500).

A number of indigenous peoples reside in this district. The Karbis and the Dimasas are the most prominent amongst them. Other indigenous peoples residing in this district include the Rengmas, the Koch, the Nepali (Gorkha), the Adivasis, the Kuki-Chin People (Kukis, Hmars, Mizos), the Garos, the Tiwas, the Khasis and the Chakmas.

Culture

Karbi anglong district has a rich culture. From ancient age the Karbi people maintain and keep their culture alive. They have their own traditional costume, like Choi Hongthor (traditional shirt) and rikong vetvot (traditional pant) for male and pini or sini and peh kok (traditional wear) for female. They also make their own traditional bag called jamborong.

Male dress

Choi Hongthor, the traditional shirt, is widely adopted among the Assamese culture. The shirt is very similar to a flak jacket, but with buttons in place of a zipper.

Rikong vetvot is a male attire worn from the waist to below. It is a single white piece of loincloth, approximately 5 feet in length, without decoration. It can be classified into two groups: the true rikong vetvot and the neo-modern (borrowed heavily from Dhoti). Rikong vetvot is unique in a sense how it is worn and its length. It needs skill to wear it. It is almost impossible to wear with too much length (It is still difficult to wear them with a little more length). A new wearer will find the dress slipping out as there is no knot.

Female dress

Pini or Sini, Peh kok and jamborong are widely famous in the state which is use by many people. Their popularity is due to their charming colours and design prepared by Karbi women.

Pini or sini is an female attire worn from the waist and covers up to the lower calf. It is similar to the dress worn by other communities like Naga, Hmar. Peh-kok is also unique in how its worn. It is a square (or similar sized) piece of cloth. Its two adjacent edge are tied into a knot (modern dress use pin in place of a knot). The knot side is then hung from the shoulder.

Others

Jamborong is a handbag made from cloth. It has no thong, instead it use a wide piece of cloth, similar to webbing, but wider and lesser tensile strength (depend on the strength of cloth). Its size can vary. Smaller ones are similar to a woman's purse.

Places of interest

A hilly district of Assam Karbi Anglong is a very beautiful place in the lap of nature. It is still somewhat unknown to the tourist in spite of its enchanting natural green forests and picturesque hills. In addition to this there are the multi-coloured cultures and traditions.

Diphu

It is a small but very charming busy town. The town is located on a hill.

Silbheta

It is a favourite picnic spot located at a distance of 37 km from Diphu. The place surrounded by rain forests. A nature built stone bridge is also there.

Akashiganga

65 km away from Diphu, here a divine stream of water flows down from the high hill. In front of it there is a great siva temple.

Garampani (Langkar-om)

Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary which is home of hollock gibbon and golden langur. There is hot water spring in here near the national highway-39 (AH1).

Dikrut Waterfall (Paklongkam)

It's a waterfall located into the bosom of mountain.

Kathilangso Waterfall

It's a waterfall located in Kanthi village, around 12 km from Denarong (Dengaon) along NH 36.

Longsokangthu (Siloni)

It is a picnic spot on the bank of a river, surrounded by hills and greenary.

Flora and fauna

In 1952, Karbi Anglong district became home to the Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 6 km² (2.3 sq mi). Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary is another wildlife sanctuary of Karbi Anglong covering 37 km².

For any visitor to Karbi Anglong, a must read book is A Naturalist in Karbi Anglong by Assam's well known naturalist Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury. He narrated his travels and wildlife observations in different parts of Karbi Anglong during his tenure in the district as a civil servant. The book is profusely illustrated with drawings and photos.

More than 75% of the district is forested. The main vegetation is Tropical semi-evergreen with patches of Moist Deciduous and wet Evergreen forests in certain areas. The district boasts the largest population of hoolock gibbons in Assam.

The district has a Wildlife sanctuary.

Education

Karbi Anglong is home to a variety of educational institutions.

Universities

Assam University, Diphu Campus.

Colleges

Deopani College, Santipur.

Diphu Government College, Diphu.

Diphu Law College, Diphu.

Don Bosco Junior College, Manja.

Eastern Karbi Anglong College, Sarihajan.

Junior College, Howraghat.

Rukasen College, Bakaliaghat.

Thong Nokbe College, Dokmoka.

Technical institutes

Industrial Training Institute, Diphu.

Polytechnic, Diphu.

Newspaper

Karbi Anglong is popular for its fast growing media. The Arleng Daily, a Karbi daily, is the newspaper that heralded a new beginning for Karbi newspaper. it's also the newspaper that brought the importance and power of media to the people. Thekar, a Karbi daily, is the highest circulated daily and the first RNI Registered Karbi newspaper. Since then, there are several dailies in Karbi language. In the year of 2005-06, a Hindi newspaper Jana Prahari was launched from bokuliaghat, a small town in Karbi Anglong. 'Hill Observer' an English Daily News paper published from Diphu

Television

Doordarshan TV relay centre, Diphu

KAT NEWS (Cable Channel), Diphu

Radio

All India Radio, Diphu

Notable Personalities

Prof. Rongbong Terang, Padmashree awardee.

Late Semsonsing Ingti, founder of Karbi Anglong district.

Jayanta Rongpi

Biren Sing Engti

Joyram Engleng