Idu 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

There are three groups of Mishmis, namely the Digaru, Idu and Miju, each having their distinctive dialects. Their main economic resources are from the land (agriculture) and forest produce. Mishmis are known for their weaving skills, producing shawls, blouses, jackets, skirts, coats, bags and even other products such as bamboo baskets and bead-necklaces. They also trade in these products, yet they are one of the weakest tribes economically in Arunachal.

Idu Mishmis are non-vegetarian. Men and children consume pork as well as beef, eating almost every part of the animal. However, their women eat the meat of small birds and fish. Their houses are made of bamboo and the roof is thatched with long grass. They are constructed on raised platforms, beneath which their domestic animals such as pigs and chickens are kept.



Where Are they Located?

Idu Mishmis are located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, one of the seven north-eastern states in India.

The Idu Mishmi generally live in the Lower Dibang Valley, the Dibang Valley, Lohit and East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They have a rich culture, tradition, costumes and customs. They mainly have an oral tradition and no script. However, recently they formed a script of Roman origin.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Idu follow hereditary shamanism, the most important characteristics of which are the concept of one supreme being and a complex system of beliefs based on nature and its spiritual qualities.

Mithun (a bison-like animal) and pigs are sacrificed in a number of rituals and pujas during festivals. Their world view is also influenced by their belief in good and bad spirits.

They are animistic and believe in the existence of spirits that govern the rule of nature. They do believe in the existence of ghosts (evil spirits). They pray to "almighty sun" and the divine spirit that governs the universe to look into their needs and that no curse be upon them.


What Are Their Needs?

Arunachal Pradesh is a culturally and religiously very sensitive state. There are restrictions for anyone from outside the state entering it or residing there. Any Indian national from outside the state requires a special permit from the government, whereas any foreign nationals are permitted to visit only for a short period and that too only as a tourist.


Prayer Points

Pray for the building of strong relationships with the government for the overall development of the Idu community.
Pray for training and guidance for the four personnel identified as mother tongue translators, as they start the translation process.
Pray for both the Digaru and Miju to have excellent translations of Scripture that will effectively reach every Idu Mishmi person, leading to their transformation.


Scripture Prayers for the Idu in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Lhoba, Idu
People Name in Country Idu
Pronunciation EE-doo
Alternate Names Boga'er; Chulikala Mishmi; Lhoba; Lho-pa; Yidu; ल्होबा, आइडू
Population this Country 9,100
Population all Countries 19,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 13050
ROP3 Code 112269
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)
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 1
  Arunachal Pradesh 9,100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
1.13 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
10.30 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
75.39 %
Islam
0.25 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.14 %
Unknown
12.80 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Idu-Mishmi (4,700 speakers)
Language Code clk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Assamese
3,300
Sartang
20
Naga, Tangshang: Tangsa
20
Nyishi
20
Adi
10
Tibetan, Central
Primary Language Idu-Mishmi (4,700 speakers)
Language Code clk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Assamese 3,300
  Sartang 20
  Naga, Tangshang: Tangsa 20
  Nyishi 20
  Adi 10
  Tibetan, Central 10
People Groups Speaking Idu-Mishmi

Primary Language:  Idu-Mishmi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2000)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2024)
Bible-Complete No
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
Photo Source Mow Sunil 
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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