Mishmi

The Mishmi religion is held by the forest peoples of the Mishmi Hills, along the Dibang and Lohit rivers of Arunachal Pradesh and across the border in southern Tibet. It is best recorded among the Idu, one of four Mishmi peoples with the Digaro, the Miju and the Deng.

The Idu hold that the universe and mankind were created by the supreme deities Ini Mashelo-Zinu and Nani Intaya. They honour the sun and a divine spirit that governs the universe, and worship both kind and malevolent spirits, believing in ghosts, spirit guides and an afterlife. The Idu shaman, the Igu, performs rituals, dances and chants to keep households safe and healthy.