Pangwala people
Pangwala people (Pangwal or Pangwale) are an indigenous community primarily inhabiting the Pangi Valley of Chamba district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. They possess a distinct cultural identity, language, and traditions that have developed in the geographically isolated Himalayan region.[1]
Geography
[edit]The Pangwala people are concentrated in the Pangi Valley, a remote mountainous region in the northwestern Himalayas. The valley is characterized by rugged terrain, high-altitude settlements, and seasonal connectivity with the rest of Himachal Pradesh, which has historically influenced the community's way of life and cultural development.[2]
History
[edit]The Pangwala people are regarded as the traditional inhabitants of the Pangi Valley. They might have migrated to Pangi valley from areas like Kashmir, Chamba, and Lahaul. Their history is closely associated with the region's geographical isolation, which has contributed to the preservation of their unique customs, social organization, language, and traditional occupations. Over time, improved transportation and administrative integration have increased interaction with neighboring regions, while many aspects of their cultural heritage continue to be maintained.[3]
Scheduled tribe status
[edit]Owing to its geographical isolation, seasonal inaccessibility, economic underdevelopment, and distinct cultural characteristics, the Pangwalas were recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1966, and Pangi tehsil was subsequently notified as a Scheduled Area under the Scheduled Areas (Himachal Pradesh) Order, 1975.[4]
Language
[edit]The native language of Pangwalas is Pangwali.[5] While Pangwali does not possess a written literature, the community maintains a rich oral tradition composed of traditional folk songs and stories passed down through generations.
References
[edit]- ↑ Thakur, Rakesh; Singh, Surender (2022). "An Ethnographical Reflection on Pangwala Tribe" (PDF). International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention. 11 (11): 33–37. ISSN 2319-7722. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
- ↑ Editor-Director, 2013. Faunal Diversity of Pangi Valley, Chamba District, (Himachal Pradesh), Himalayan Ecosystem Series, 3: pp. 4-5
- ↑ अमर सिंह रणपतिया,पांगी p.22 https://archive.org/details/2010-haacl-pangi-lok-sanskriti-evam-kalayen/page/1/mode/2up?view=theater
- ↑ Thakur, Rakesh; Singh, Surender (2022). "An Ethnographical Reflection on Pangwala Tribe" (PDF). International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention. 11 (11): 33–37. ISSN 2319-7722. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
- ↑ Linguistic Survey of India, Volume 9 (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. pp. 495–568. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
Further reading
[edit]- Customary Law and Gender Inequality: A Case Study of Pangwala Tribal Community of Western Himalaya
- Agnihotri, Prof Simmi; Singh, Dr Vijay (26 June 2020). "VOLUNTARY TRIBAL MIGRANTS AND THEIR ROLE IN ORIGIN PLACE: A STUDY OF THE PANGWALA TRIBE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH (INDIA)". International Engineering Journal For Research & Development. 5 (ICIPPS): 10–10. doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/MXTUH. ISSN 2349-0721.
- Thakur, Janam Singh (25 May 2019). "Fairs and Festival of Pangi Tribal Tehsil". International Journal of Social Science and Economics Invention. 5 (05). doi:10.23958/ijssei/vol05-i04/116. ISSN 2455-6289.
- Kapoor, Karan; Mehta, Jagriti; Sinha, A. K.; Sahani, Ramesh (1 June 2020). "PRAJA: A Customary Village Council of the Pangwala of Himachal Pradesh". Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India. 69 (1): 82–92. doi:10.1177/2277436X20920979. ISSN 2277-436X.
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