A study on Relationship between Land and Social Status of Tribal society with reference to Arunachal Pradesh

Land, for Indigenous communities, transcends its material value—it is the axis upon which social relationships, spiritual beliefs, and cultural identities revolve. Among the tribal populations of Arunachal Pradesh, land is not merely a resource but a sacred entity that embodies life, death, and the afterlife. Historically, these communities have regarded themselves as custodians of nature, upholding the sanctity of mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests through ritual, tradition, and collective memory. The ancestral bond with land is reflected in communal ownership patterns, which once fostered unity and shared guardianship. However, the gradual shift toward private ownership has introduced individualism, territorial fragmentation, and a redefinition of clan structures. Historians and anthropologists suggest that, in terms of racial affiliation, the Indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are predominantly classified as belonging to the Indo-Mongoloid or Proto-Mongoloid stock and in terms of linguistic affiliation they are believed to be affiliated to Tibetan-Burmese family and tribal relation with land is as old as human civilization and social hierarchies were also present since time in inceptions, gradually it rooted and ingrained with the human nature. Every geographical feature the stream, hill, or valley is filled with clan-specific significance, shaping religious practices, social status, and territorial identity. This paper examines the intricate relationship between land and Indigenous identity, exploring how territorial affiliations define societal roles and cultural autonomy. Through a focused study of land distribution, social status and clan-based territorialism, the research highlights the enduring relevance of land as a cornerstone of Indigenous existence in Arunachal Pradesh.