The Nishing tribes are the largest groups of tribes scattered in the provinces of Lower Subansiri district. The Nishings are also known as Nishis. All Nishis trace their descent from legendary ancestor, Abotani and they are the basically inhabitants of the western half of the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. They are well-built, fair in complexion and medium to tall in physical structure. They also possess good knowledge of business. Their houses are made of thatch, bamboo and timber. Nishi family is generally patriarchal and polygamy is practised. Nishing tribes have developed a special way of decking up themselves. No one fails to identify a Nishing due his or her special apparel. Usually, male Nishing keep their hair quite long and also tie the hair locks in a tight knot just above the forehead. The Nishing women are engaged in weaving whereas basketry is a popular handicraft among the men-folk of this tribal group.

Unlike most of the tribes of Indian Territory, the villages where the Nishing tribes live are sometimes found in groups. The Nishis are mainly agriculturists and they commonly practice shifting cultivation. It is also because of the lack of plenty of appropriate land for wet rice cultivation that the Nishing tribes are almost completely depending on `slash and burn cultivation`, which is commonly known as `Jhoom Cultivation`. Permanent cultivation is also being progressively adopted, where ever it is feasible. Principal method of `Jhoom Cultivation` consists of clearing of patch of jungle by cutting and burning after number of years called the "Jhoom Cycle". The people of this tribal group have also adopted the occupations of hunting and fishing. In these two aspects they surpass any other adjoining tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Quite a handful of Nishing tribes grow ardently the dry rice on the sides of the hilly region.

Belonging to the Indo- Mongoloid group, the Nishing tribes follow the languages of the Tibeto-Burman language family. The people of this tribal group are known for their costumes and hairdo. They bedeck their hair in a special way. The knotted hair near forehead is called Padum richly goes with the cane bands. On his head, a Nishing tribe also wears Bopia, which is a neatly embroidered `cane cap`. The looks of the Nishing also nicely gets emphasized due to his manner of smoking of a pipe in his mouth and also an elongated `bladed knife`, popularly known as Dao. Usually, the Nishing tribes wear cane bands just round their waists. They had the peculiar belief that after death, his spirit moves to the `village of the ancestors`. The cultural exuberance is rightly being explicated in various elements like music, festivals, lifestyles etc. They have also developed tastes for sumptuous food also. Opo, which is commonly known as `Apong`, is a very famous drink among them and irrespective of male and female, everyone enjoys having them to their hearts` content.

Festivals and also social rites and rituals are integrated life of Nishing tribe. The Nishis observe a number of ceremonies in the villages. One of their important community festivals is known as Nyukum, which is performed once in a year in the month of February with splendour and gaiety. During this festival the priests devote days together to offer prayers to the Almighty. The significance of Nyukum festival is to ensure better cultivation, protect the grains from natural calamities and for the prosperity and well being of the villagers. Men and women belonging to this tribal community rejoice by dancing, singing and feasting as part of the ceremony. The Nishis have a number of songs and dances for different socio-religions festivals. The Rikampada is the most popular and significant song and dance of Nishing tribe. Artistic fervour of a Nishing tribe is also a well-known fact amongst all the people of Indian subcontinent. One can catch hold of both men and women carrying a nicely embroidered cane basket. These baskets are called `egin`, widely used by the tribal people for various purposes in their day to day living.

The Nishings are basically individualistic. The felling of openness is through blood and the clan spirit. Any disputes are considered to be personal rather than social matters and the parties are often left themselves to settle their score, without interference of the society.