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{{distinguish|Idun language}} | {{distinguish|Idun language}} | ||
{{Infobox language | {{Infobox language | ||
|name= Idu Mishmi | | name = Idu Mishmi | ||
|nativename= | | nativename = | ||
|image=Idu Mishmi diorama.JPG | | image = Idu Mishmi diorama.JPG | ||
|imagecaption=Diorama and [[wax figures]] of [[Mishmi people]] in [[Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar]] | | imagecaption = Diorama and [[wax figures]] of [[Mishmi people]] in [[Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Itanagar]] | ||
|region= [[India]]: [[Assam]]; [[Arunachal Pradesh]]: [[Dibang Valley district, Lower Dibang valley, | | region = [[India]]: [[Assam]]; [[Arunachal Pradesh]]: [[Dibang Valley district, Lower Dibang valley, Lohit]]; [[East Siang District]]; [[Upper Siang]]. [[China]]: southeastern [[Tibet Autonomous Region]]: [[Nyingchi Prefecture]]: [[Zayü County]]; western [[Yunnan]] | ||
|ethnicity=[[Mishmi people]] (categorized as [[Lhoba people|Lhoba]] and Mishmi) | | ethnicity = [[Mishmi people]] (categorized as [[Lhoba people|Lhoba]] and Mishmi) | ||
|speakers= 11,000 | | speakers = 11,000 | ||
|date=2001 census | | date = 2001 census | ||
|ref=e18 | | ref = e18 | ||
|familycolor=Sino-Tibetan | | familycolor = Sino-Tibetan | ||
|fam1= | | fam1 = [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Sino-Tibetan]]? | ||
|fam2=[[Greater Siangic languages|Greater Siangic]]? | | fam2 = [[Greater Siangic languages|Greater Siangic]]? | ||
|fam3=[[Digaro languages| | | fam3 = [[Digaro languages|Digarish]]? | ||
|map2 | | script = [[Latin script|Latin]] | ||
|mapcaption2 | | map2 = Lang Status 60-DE.svg | ||
|iso3 = clk | | mapcaption2 = {{center|Idu Mishmi is classified as Definitely Endangered by the [[UNESCO]] ''[[Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger]]''.}} | ||
|glotto=idum1241 | | iso3 = clk | ||
|glottorefname= Idu | | glotto = idum1241 | ||
| glottorefname = Idu | |||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Idu Mishmi language''' | The '''Idu Mishmi language''' is a small language spoken by the Idu [[Mishmi people]] in [[Dibang Valley district]], [[Lower Dibang Valley district]], [[Lohit district]], [[East Siang district]], [[Upper Siang district]] of the [[India]]n state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and in [[Zayü County]] of the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]], [[China]]. There were 8569 speakers in India in 1981 and 7000 speakers in China in 1994. It is considered an [[endangered language]]. | ||
==Religion== | |||
They follow [[Animism]] and [[Shamanism]]. Ini Mashelo-Zinu and Nani Intaya are the supreme deities who are worshipped. Idu Mishmis believe that they created the universe and mankind. They also believe in the almighty sun and the divine spirit that governs the universe, spirits that govern nature and have a strong belief in an afterlife and spirit guides. They worship spirits, including benevolent and malevolent ones, and believe in the existence of ghosts. The Idu Mishmi tribe's shaman is called an Igu, and they perform rituals and dances to ensure the safety and health of their families and households. The Igu wears a coat, loin cloth, and an apron-like garment, and uses musical instruments while dancing, chanting, and singing. | |||
==Locations== | ==Locations== | ||
In China, Idu Mishmi is spoken in Xiba village 西巴村, which has just over 40 residents and is located at the foot of Xikong Mountain 习孔山. Xiba village is located 10 kilometers from the nearest administrative center, namely Migu village 米古村 (Jiang 2005:4).<ref>Jiang Huo. 2005. ''Yiduyu Yanjiu''. Beijing: Minzu University Press.</ref> The Idu live in the Danba River 丹巴江 and E River 额河 watersheds in [[Zayü County]], Tibet. They are officially classified by the Chinese government as ethnic [[Lhoba people]]. | In China, Idu Mishmi is spoken in Xiba village 西巴村, which has just over 40 residents and is located at the foot of Xikong Mountain 习孔山. Xiba village is located 10 kilometers from the nearest administrative center, namely Migu village 米古村 (Jiang 2005:4).<ref>Jiang Huo. 2005. ''Yiduyu Yanjiu''. Beijing: Minzu University Press.</ref> The Idu live in the Danba River 丹巴江 and E River 额河 watersheds in [[Zayü County]], Tibet. They are officially classified by the Chinese government as ethnic [[Lhoba people]]. | ||
In India, the Idu are found in [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. | In India, the Idu are found in [[Arunachal Pradesh]], although after the declaration of Roing as a Township, Adi people migrated south towards Sadiya. Idus followed and occupied the Northern Part of Lower Dibang Valley. | ||
Idu People are believed to have migrated with the [[Adi people|Adi]] from southern Tibet in the early 1700s following footprints. | |||
==Script== | ==Script== | ||
The Idu Mishmi people did not usually have a script of their own. When needed Idu Mishmis tended to use the [[Tibetan script]]. Currently the Idu Mishmi have developed | The Idu Mishmi people did not usually have a script of their own. When needed Idu Mishmis tended to use the [[Tibetan script]].{{citation needed|date=November 2025}} Currently the Idu Mishmi have developed the Latin orthography known as "Idu Azobra". | ||
==Alternative names== | ==Alternative names== | ||
The Idu Mishmi language is | The Idu Mishmi language is also referred to as: | ||
* Kera’a<ref>CULHANE, Kirsten & PECK, Naomi & BOUAZIZ, Wifek & REINÖHL, Uta. 2023. ''The loss of word-initial consonants in Kera’a: A challenge for phonological theory''. 26th Himalayan Languages Symposium, 4–6 September 2023. Paris: INALCO.</ref> | |||
* Sulikata by the indigenous Assamese people of the Assam Plains. | * Sulikata by the indigenous Assamese people of the Assam Plains. | ||
* Idu in general. | * Idu in general. | ||
* Yidu may be used in China. | * Yidu may be used in China. | ||
* | * Midi by the [[Adi people|Adi's]]. | ||
==Dialects== | ==Dialects== | ||
| Line 46: | Line 53: | ||
! Area spoken | ! Area spoken | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Mindri | ||
| | | | ||
| [[Anini]] area | | [[Anini]] area | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Mithu | ||
| Bebejia | | Bebejia | ||
| Hunli, Desali, Koronu, Abango, Bhismaknagar, | | Hunli, Desali, Koronu, Abango, Bhismaknagar, | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Midu | ||
| | | | ||
| [[Roing]], [[Dambuk]], [[Aohali]], [[Injonu]] | | [[Roing]], [[Dambuk]], [[Aohali]], [[Injonu]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Mihi | ||
| | | | ||
| | | Ahi valley (Anelih) | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Registers== | |||
Idu has various registers that are used in different situations. These include:<ref>Blench, Roger. 2022. ''[https://www.academia.edu/82399458/Why_would_a_language_with_5000_speakers_have_seven_registers_Register_flipping_in_the_isolates_of_Northeast_India_compromises_the_unitary_concept_of_language Why would a language with 5000 speakers have seven registers? Register-flipping in the isolates of Northeast India compromises the unitary concept of language]''. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Education Foundation.</ref> | |||
*shamanic register, known as ''Igu''<ref>REINÖHL, Uta. 2023. ''Shamanic languages and their potentials for understanding language history, genealogy and contact – The case of Igu''. 26th Himalayan Languages Symposium, 4–6 September 2023. Paris: INALCO.</ref> | |||
*hunting register | |||
*cursing register | |||
*mediation register | |||
*mourning register | |||
*babytalk register | |||
*humorous register | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 71: | Line 89: | ||
*Blench, Roger. 2016. [https://www.academia.edu/20315411/Hunting_among_the_Idu_a_people_of_Arunachal_Pradesh Hunting among the Idu, a people of Arunachal Pradesh]. | *Blench, Roger. 2016. [https://www.academia.edu/20315411/Hunting_among_the_Idu_a_people_of_Arunachal_Pradesh Hunting among the Idu, a people of Arunachal Pradesh]. | ||
*Blench, Roger, Mite Linggi, Hindu Meme, and Apomo Linggi. 2016. [https://www.academia.edu/20110571/Reading_and_writing_Idu Reading and writing Idu: a book of letters]. Roing, Arunachal Pradesh: Idu Language Development Committee. | *Blench, Roger, Mite Linggi, Hindu Meme, and Apomo Linggi. 2016. [https://www.academia.edu/20110571/Reading_and_writing_Idu Reading and writing Idu: a book of letters]. Roing, Arunachal Pradesh: Idu Language Development Committee. | ||
* | * {{cite journal |title=A sketch grammar of Igu, the Shamanic language of the Kera'a |date=2025 |last1=Reinöhl |first1=Uta |last2=Pulu |first2=Pachu |last3=Wallner |first3=Usha |journal=Himalayan Linguistics |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=58–87 |issn=1544-7502 |doi=10.5070/H9.35231 |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7mh3m3x4|doi-access=free }} | ||
* [http://mercury.soas.ac.uk/wadict/icstll41/abstracts/Chhangte_abstract.doc Preliminary notes on the phonology of Ida Mishmi]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} | |||
* [http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00140 Discovery - Endangered Languages] | * [http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00140 Discovery - Endangered Languages] | ||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120430033216/http://knowidu.blogspot.com/2011/06/azobra-alphabet.html Idu Mishmi alphabet] | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120430033216/http://knowidu.blogspot.com/2011/06/azobra-alphabet.html Idu Mishmi alphabet] | ||
*{{cite book |last=Liu |first=Bin 刘宾 |date=2019 |title=Xizang Chayu Yidu yu 西藏察隅义都语 |location=Beijing |publisher=[[The Commercial Press]] |oclc=1153187238}} | |||
{{Sino-Tibetan languages}} | {{Sino-Tibetan languages}} | ||
{{Arunachal languages}} | {{Arunachal languages}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | |||
[[Category:Definitely endangered languages]] | [[Category:Definitely endangered languages]] | ||
| Line 84: | Line 106: | ||
[[Category:Languages of Tibet]] | [[Category:Languages of Tibet]] | ||
[[Category:Languages of Arunachal Pradesh]] | [[Category:Languages of Arunachal Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:Endangered languages of China]] | |||
[[Category:Endangered languages of India]] | |||
[[Category:Endangered Sino-Tibetan languages]] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:42, 1 January 2026
| Idu Mishmi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Region | India: Assam; Arunachal Pradesh: Dibang Valley district, Lower Dibang valley, Lohit; East Siang District; Upper Siang. China: southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region: Nyingchi Prefecture: Zayü County; western Yunnan |
| Ethnicity | Mishmi people (categorized as Lhoba and Mishmi) |
Native speakers | (11,000 cited 2001 census)[1] |
Sino-Tibetan?
| |
| Latin | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | clk |
| Glottolog | idum1241 |
 Idu Mishmi is classified as Definitely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. | |
The Idu Mishmi language is a small language spoken by the Idu Mishmi people in Dibang Valley district, Lower Dibang Valley district, Lohit district, East Siang district, Upper Siang district of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and in Zayü County of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. There were 8569 speakers in India in 1981 and 7000 speakers in China in 1994. It is considered an endangered language.
Religion[edit | edit source]
They follow Animism and Shamanism. Ini Mashelo-Zinu and Nani Intaya are the supreme deities who are worshipped. Idu Mishmis believe that they created the universe and mankind. They also believe in the almighty sun and the divine spirit that governs the universe, spirits that govern nature and have a strong belief in an afterlife and spirit guides. They worship spirits, including benevolent and malevolent ones, and believe in the existence of ghosts. The Idu Mishmi tribe's shaman is called an Igu, and they perform rituals and dances to ensure the safety and health of their families and households. The Igu wears a coat, loin cloth, and an apron-like garment, and uses musical instruments while dancing, chanting, and singing.
Locations[edit | edit source]
In China, Idu Mishmi is spoken in Xiba village 西巴村, which has just over 40 residents and is located at the foot of Xikong Mountain 习孔山. Xiba village is located 10 kilometers from the nearest administrative center, namely Migu village 米古村 (Jiang 2005:4).[2] The Idu live in the Danba River 丹巴江 and E River 额河 watersheds in Zayü County, Tibet. They are officially classified by the Chinese government as ethnic Lhoba people.
In India, the Idu are found in Arunachal Pradesh, although after the declaration of Roing as a Township, Adi people migrated south towards Sadiya. Idus followed and occupied the Northern Part of Lower Dibang Valley.
Idu People are believed to have migrated with the Adi from southern Tibet in the early 1700s following footprints.
Script[edit | edit source]
The Idu Mishmi people did not usually have a script of their own. When needed Idu Mishmis tended to use the Tibetan script.[citation needed] Currently the Idu Mishmi have developed the Latin orthography known as "Idu Azobra".
Alternative names[edit | edit source]
The Idu Mishmi language is also referred to as:
- Kera’a[3]
- Sulikata by the indigenous Assamese people of the Assam Plains.
- Idu in general.
- Yidu may be used in China.
- Midi by the Adi's.
Dialects[edit | edit source]
| Dialect name | Alternative name (if any) | Area spoken |
|---|---|---|
| Mindri | Anini area | |
| Mithu | Bebejia | Hunli, Desali, Koronu, Abango, Bhismaknagar, |
| Midu | Roing, Dambuk, Aohali, Injonu | |
| Mihi | Ahi valley (Anelih) |
Registers[edit | edit source]
Idu has various registers that are used in different situations. These include:[4]
- shamanic register, known as Igu[5]
- hunting register
- cursing register
- mediation register
- mourning register
- babytalk register
- humorous register
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Idu Mishmi at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
- ↑ Jiang Huo. 2005. Yiduyu Yanjiu. Beijing: Minzu University Press.
- ↑ CULHANE, Kirsten & PECK, Naomi & BOUAZIZ, Wifek & REINÖHL, Uta. 2023. The loss of word-initial consonants in Kera’a: A challenge for phonological theory. 26th Himalayan Languages Symposium, 4–6 September 2023. Paris: INALCO.
- ↑ Blench, Roger. 2022. Why would a language with 5000 speakers have seven registers? Register-flipping in the isolates of Northeast India compromises the unitary concept of language. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Education Foundation.
- ↑ REINÖHL, Uta. 2023. Shamanic languages and their potentials for understanding language history, genealogy and contact – The case of Igu. 26th Himalayan Languages Symposium, 4–6 September 2023. Paris: INALCO.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Blench, Roger. 2017. A dictionary of Idu, a language of Arunachal Pradesh. Roing, Arunachal Pradesh: Mishmi Publishing House.
- Blench, Roger. 2016. Attempts to write the Idu language and a proposal for a modern orthography.
- Blench, Roger. 2016. Hunting among the Idu, a people of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Blench, Roger, Mite Linggi, Hindu Meme, and Apomo Linggi. 2016. Reading and writing Idu: a book of letters. Roing, Arunachal Pradesh: Idu Language Development Committee.
- Reinöhl, Uta; Pulu, Pachu; Wallner, Usha (2025). "A sketch grammar of Igu, the Shamanic language of the Kera'a". Himalayan Linguistics. 24 (1): 58–87. doi:10.5070/H9.35231. ISSN 1544-7502.
- Preliminary notes on the phonology of Ida Mishmi[permanent dead link]
- Discovery - Endangered Languages
- Idu Mishmi alphabet
- Liu, Bin 刘宾 (2019). Xizang Chayu Yidu yu 西藏察隅义都语. Beijing: The Commercial Press. OCLC 1153187238.