Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Deputy Commissioner's Bangalow


The Deputy Commissioner's official bangalow at Ziro is located at one of the best sites in the area. Sitting atop a small hill, one can have an excellent view of the Higher Secondary School in the north and the entire Hapoli Bazar and the General Ground in the south.

The bangalow has seen scores of officers who came to occupy this house and rule the Subansiri area. It may be recalled that the present Upper Subansiri, Kurung Kumey and Papum Pare districts have all been carved out of Subansiri district, of which Ziro was the headquarter.

The house has undergone lots of modifications, hosted different types of officers and witnessed rapid changes around it, but still retains the dignity it deserves.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Pengu Miilyobo



The tradition of conflict dates back to time immemorial. When a person with special attributes is defeated in such conflicts, history is made. There was such a person of high status named Pengu Miilyobo who lived in Pengu in the Ziro valley. There were others with similar status like Siilaň Santii, Dilaň Taribo, Asaň Korlaň and Aha Korlaň who made constant plans to eliminate him. Aha Korlaň first tried to demolish Pengu Miilyobo, but could not budge him. After several such attempts it was Asaň Korlaň who finally came with storm, lightning and thunders and destroyed Pengu Miilyobo.

Pengu Miilyobo fell, but his remains can still be seen in various locations in Apatani plateau. The head – adiň and chest – habyaň are at Supyu, about a kilometer north-west of Lempia village. The picture above is the head and the one below is the chest.


Piidiň or the hairknot can be seen at Khogyo at Hong village.


And this is Pengu Miilyobo's breast or anyiň.


The female reproductive organ of Pengu Miilyobo can be seen at the paddy fields of Gano at Bamin village. It is called Gano Pedebo.


Likewise, Gano Yidebo or the male reproductive organ is up in the hills at Gano. (Could this be the original Shiva Linga?)


(Apologies for the picture quality)