
The major sub-tribal communities that Adi tribe includes are the Padams, Milangs, Komkars, Minyongs and Pasis. Another group of the Adi tribes comprises sub tribal communities like Gallong and seven other groups. They have broadly divided the whole of the Adi tribal populace into two sections namely the Bomis and Bogums. The sub tribal communities collectively forming the Adi tribe belong under these two divisions. The Adi tribe constitute major group and inhabit the lower part of
Lower Dibang Valley district of the state of
Arunachal Pradesh especially Roing and Dambuk areas. The sub tribes forming this major group speak a common dialect, claim a common origin and also perform and celebrate same rituals and festivals. Adi tribe is mainly concentrated in the valleys of rivers.
Origin of Adi Tribes
The Adi tribes trace their origin from Pedong Nane. Pedong Nane was the great grand daughter of Sedi Melo the creator. The Adi is one of the important tribes of the Siang Frontier Division. The Siang Frontier Division is the home of the Adis. The Adis are divided into different groups, such as Padam, Minyong, Shimong, Pangis, Pasi, Asing, Bori, Bokar, Karko, Ramo, Milan, Tagin, Gallong, Tangam and Pailiba. Racially the Adi tribes belong to the Mongoloid stock with well-built features.
Society of Adi Tribes
The father is considered the head of the family. The adult goes out to the field for cultivation and the young girls bring fuel and water, pound the grain and help in domestic duties. Food production is achieved by cultivation, hunting and fishing. They practice Jhum cultivation. Paddy, maize, millet is sown in the same field. The Adi tribes are known for their amiable and simple nature. The way they carry out the job of administering people, depict their democratic nature. They have nicely organised village council, better known as `Kebang`. The Adi tribe is organized into several clans. This tribe is determinant of the social relationship and kinship. Family is the lowest unit of social organization and nuclear in character. In a family of their community, after marriage, eldest sibling separate and establish new residence while the youngest stay back and look after the old parents. Monogamy is the common form of marriage, though polygamy is socially restricted. A marriage arranged by parents and elders is considered ideal and decent though selecting a partner by initiating a love affair is also popular and common. In the Adi community, dead bodies are buried.

Adi society has two types of dormitories - for the boys it is called Moshup and for girls it is called Rasheng. Moshup is a house for the unmarried boys which are constructed by the villagers. The children of ten years and above can become member of the Moshups. They believe that this system develops the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect and adjustment and fellow feeling among the children. There are different Merum or cells in the Moshups. Each belong to a particular Merum and sleeps in it. Rasheng is comparatively smaller and is constructed in the middle of the village. A senior girl becomes the in charge of this house.
Festivals of Adi Tribes
The fairs and festivals of the Adi tribe reflect their rich culture and heritage. Their main festivals are Solung, Etor and Aaran. Huge feasts are hosted, offerings are made to deities. Songs and dances are performed in these occasions. Dances performed are in-group lead by a main singer (Miri). Popular dances are the Ponung, Delong, Yakjong and Tapu, which is in-fact, a war dance. Ponung is however most common of all the dances. It is an integral part of the lifestyle of Adi tribes. They have adopted their own style of dancing. The Adi tribes are very fond of dances. They perform group dances. The dancers are linked to one another in a certain manner by the hands, by the waist or the shoulders. The main movements of the dance are confined to legs, arms and central part of the body. The Adis live on the high spurs of hills.
Handicrafts of Adi Tribes
Art works are popular amongst Adi tribal communities. Handicrafts of the Adi tribe are best seen in their cane and bamboo works like baskets, trays, haversacks, mats and hats and headgears with artistic designs are produced for domestic use. Women belonging to the Adi tribal group are expert weavers. They weave several things like coats, jackets, bags, skirts, shawls and blankets displaying their abilities in handloom.