Traditional Knowledge of the Musical Instruments used by the Mising (Miri) Tribe of Assam

Assam in the north-east India has traditionally been home to diverse ethnic tribes dwelling in harmony enriched with heritage of culture, which contributed immensely to its musical gamut. Of which the Mising tribe have brought with themselves unique art forms, rich cultural heritage, diverse food habits, socio-religious rituals, customs and festivals. Traditionally this community have their own unique traditional folklores and music passed down orally from generation to generation through the beliefs and customs of ordinary people of this community. The number of musical instruments used by the Misings are not any less in numbers out of which Pempa, Ejug Tapung, Gunggang, Pi:li, Bu:bung are some woodwind instruments, whereas Dumdum, Lu:pi, Dentug, Marbang, Dendun, Dumpak are few beat instruments and with some lesser known instruments such as Kokter Toka, Mibuigosa, Deoghanta, Le:nong etc. All these sets of musical instruments represent various form of traditional songs accompanied with folk dance. These musical instruments are generally made of local materials such as bamboo, wood, few with metal brass, round gourd and animal skin. Most importantly, the tribe people use these traditional instruments in almost all the festivals like Ali aye ligang, Po-rag, Midang (marriage ceremony), Biu (Bihu) celebrations etc., for they are considered to be inseparable component of their rites. Therefore, this paper focus on the musical interest of the Mising tribe of Assam emphasizing the importance of these musical instruments to their culture.