Founder Head (HoD): Prof. Tamo Mibang

The Arunachalee Society is multi-cultural and multi-lingual. Though the rich assemblage of myriad cultures and languages of the state has attracted scholars and academics over the decades, very little headway has been made in the preservation, promotion and projection of their treasured cultural heritage, incredible indigenous knowledge system, etc. Realizing the great responsibility cast upon the University in this regard, a special clause has been enshrined in the first schedule, Section 4 of the University Act, 1984 (as amended up to 1993), which reads, “The University shall endeavour through research, education, training and extension to play a positive role in the socio-economic development of Arunachal Pradesh, based on the rich heritage, to advance the culture of its people”.

As a follow up, the provision for a Centre for Tribal Studies, was included in the University Ordinance No. 11.1 (viii), which came into effect on 02.05.1988. Eventually, the UGC has approved the up-gradation of the Centre for Tribal Studies to a department with the mandate to run a regular M.Phil. Programme in addition to the research programmes (vide UGC’s letter No. F.53-2/94 (SU-11 dated 23.12.1994).

Prof. Tamo Mibang, who joined the University in the capacity as Head of the Department of Tribal Studies on 18^th August 1995, initiated the activities of the Department. Thus, the Department came into existence on 18^th August 1995.

Though the department could, within the time span of a decade, undertake many of the programmes enunciated in the perspective plan the uniqueness of Arunachalee society demands a concentrated action to preserve, promote, project and sustain the rich heritage indigenous knowledge system, especially in the area of ethno medicine, ethno music, performing arts, language, folklore, handicrafts, educating process, management of forest resources and ecosystem, etc. that are declining and decaying due to the onslaught of modernization and alien influence.

In order to extend its programmes to preserve, promote rejuvenate and project the myriad tribal culture of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, a committee was constituted to prepare a vision for the Department (vide notification No. AC-150/2000/TS/4443 dated 8^th October 2004). On the basis of the vision prepared by the committee in its meeting held on 23^rd November 2004 and in pursuance of E.C. resolution No. EC:49:09 dated 6^th September, 2005, the Department of Tribal Studies was elevated. Accordingly, as per notification No. AC-150/2000/TS dated 22^nd November 2005; the Department has been elevated and re-designated as: Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS).