Tanu in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Apatani (or Tanu, as they describe themselves) are a well-known tribal community in Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Their society is made up of several clans: Dani, Dora, Dumper, Dusu, Haj, Hidi, Kago, Kimte, Miri, Nada, Nemko, Nemp, Nendin, Pemu, Plangang, Puna, Pura, Taku, Taro and Taru. These clans are divided up into two endogamous units. Traditionally, the clans of the Mora or Guchi division perform services for the clans of the Mith or Guth division.

Europeans first contacted the group in 1897. After subsequent contacts and construction of an outpost by the Assam Rifles in 1948, the Apatanis attacked. Two of their villages were burnt in retaliation.

They live in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tanu are known for their use of large nose plugs by the women, although that practice is in decline, especially among the youth. The women were considered to be the most beautiful ones among all the Arunachal tribes. Men and women alike tattoo their faces, although this too is falling out of popularity. They are beginning to follow more modern traditions now, yet much remains intact of their customs.

They live in bamboo houses on stilts. The women cultivate vegetables and do many household chores as well as spinning cotton and weaving. Men also have a part in overseeing the agricultural aspect of the village and are seen as heads of their families. Their wet rice fields are irrigated using an effective system of canals.

A sacred pole and a sacred platform are constructed every four years and used for festivals and community events. They celebrate the festival of Myoko in March and the festival of Murung in January. Another very important festival, called Dree, is celebrated in many towns in Arunachal Pradesh.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tanu follow the Donyi-Polo or Danyi-Piilo faith. They venerate the sun and the moon. They also believe in evil spirits who are to be appeased with animal sacrifices accompanied by chants lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

There is a sizable Christian minority.


What Are Their Needs?

Tanu Christians need to be discipled and sent out to disciple others.


Prayer Points

Pray for Tanu disciples who will become disciplers of entire families.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in power throughout Anunachal Pradesh.
Pray for powerful Tanu churches that will plant other churches.


Scripture Prayers for the Tanu in India.


References

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apatani_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tanu
People Name in Country Tanu
Alternate Names Apatani; टानू
Population this Country 49,000
Population all Countries 49,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16225
ROP3 Code 111338
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Arunachal Pradesh
49,000
Assam
80
Mizoram
50
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Arunachal Pradesh 49,000
  Assam 80
  Mizoram 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Unknown
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.17 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
21.68 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
5.94 %
Islam
0.25 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
71.93 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Apatani (44,000 speakers)
Language Code apt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Nyishi
90
Adi
40
Hindi
20
Assamese Nepali Naga, Tangshang
Gondi, Northern Maithili Santhali
Primary Language Apatani (44,000 speakers)
Language Code apt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Nyishi 90
  Adi 40
  Hindi 20
  Assamese 0
  Nepali 0
  Naga, Tangshang 0
  Gondi, Northern 0
  Maithili 0
  Santhali 0
People Groups Speaking Apatani

Primary Language:  Apatani

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2004-2014)
Bible-Complete No
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Apatani YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Apatani YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Apatani Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Arif Siddiqui - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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