Group: | Memba |
Total: | 5,000 |
Total Year: | 2011 census |
Popplace: | India (Arunachal Pradesh) |
Languages: | Memba |
Religions: | Buddhism |
The Memba are a people of Arunachal Pradesh. The Memba population is currently around four to five thousand. Local genealogies suggested that they came from Tibet and settled in the region several centuries ago.[1]
The Membas follow Nyingmapa Tibetan Buddhism and have their own script, Hikor, which is derived from the Tibetan script.[2] In every village, there is a small Gompa presided by a Buddhist Lama. As devout Buddhists, they follow all the intricate details of rituals of Buddhist puja, hoisting at least a Buddhist prayer flag or a string of small Buddhist prayer flags in front of every household. Festivals that are celebrated by the Memba include Losar and Choskar.