The Intangible Heritage of the Kannaura Tribe of Himachal Pradesh
The Tribal Fund for Documentation and Conservation launched a project in 2016 to document the intangible heritage of the Kannaura tribe in Himachal Pradesh and was submitted to the INTACH Delhi Chapter.
The Kannaura tribe resides in the northeastern district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, which shares its eastern border with Tibet. This district is often called the ‘land of the gods.’ The Kinner Kailash Mountain, believed to be the winter residence of Lord Shiva, is located here and holds sacred significance for the community. Due to their mountainous environment, the Kannaura people remained largely isolated for many years, and the terrain remains challenging to navigate. While infrastructural projects like the Nathpa-Jhakri Dam have been initiated to promote development, they have negatively impacted the locals by depleting natural resources. Until 1962, the Kannaura were largely dependent on Tibet for food, clothes, and other resources.
According to legend, the members of this community are direct descendants of the Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Unfortunately, there are few historical references to the community, as much of this material is believed to have been destroyed by the Gurkhas during their invasion of Bushahr between 1803 and 1815. The project conducted in Kannaur interacted with locals and revealed that in ancient times, the district was part of the princely state of Bushahr, ruled by the Guge Empire until the 11th century, after which it was taken over by the Thakurs. In the 14th century, the Rajas usurped control, and their reign continued until India gained independence in 1947. After independence, Kinnaur became part of the Chini tehsil in the Mahasu district, but it was designated as a separate district in 1960.
The Kinnauri language is part of the Tibetan-Burmese dialect group. During the 2016 project, seven local dialects were identified: Kinnauri, Sunnami, Shumcho, Thabrskad, Jangrami, Orasukad, and Chamskad. Unfortunately, Kinnauri lacks its own script, hence it is documented using the Devanagari script. The language is not taught in schools and is rapidly declining in the region.
The Kinnauri people are traditionally agriculturists and shepherds. Initially, apples in the region were cultivated solely for personal consumption, but they are now increasingly being sold in the market. The locals also work as weavers, silversmiths, and wood carvers. Trade with Tibet was once a vital source of livelihood, but it diminished after the Sino-India war, leading to challenges for the people of Kinnaur.
The housing structures in Kinnaur are both charming and intriguing. The village gates, known as Konkani, are believed to protect against evil spirits and are primarily found in the upper Kinnaur villages. Traditionally, houses are constructed using the kath-kuni style, which combines stone and wood, giving them a rustic appearance. These homes are designed to be responsive to the climate; the kitchen is often the largest room, as temperatures can drop significantly in the region, and the fire is kept burning, serving as a gathering spot for family members.
The diet of the Kinnauri people now increasingly includes fruits and vegetables, as agricultural practices have shifted, enabling them to produce these foodstuffs locally. Kinnaur is renowned for its cultivation of apples, wild apricots, and particularly Chilgoza, or pine nuts, which naturally grow only in this region of India. Meat prepared in saltwater is a staple in their diet. For beverages, cha (salted tea) and rukh—a type of liquor made from apples, chuli, and jowar mixed with jaggery—are common household items.
For ages, locally woven fabrics have made up the community’s traditional attire, offering protection against harsh climatic conditions. During festivals, men wear a traditional outfit consisting of a chuba (a long white jacket) and sutan (white pajama). In everyday life, they opt for a grey coat paired with black or grey sutan. Women’s traditional attire includes a doru (woolen saree), a tomaksh (green jacket), and a topru challi (shawl). The laddi pattu, a special type of shawl, is woven specifically for brides. Other significant items of clothing include the thepang, a green cap, and the gachang, a waist belt. Nature plays an important role in the lives of the Kannaura people, which is reflected in the designs of their ornaments, often inspired by natural elements like flowers, the moon, and leaves.
The Kinnauri people primarily follow two religions: Lamaism and the indigenous Shu (devta) religion, both practiced in harmonious coexistence. Labrangs, or Buddhist monasteries, in the region can have one or many lamas, with the chief lama overseeing all religious activities. In 1992, the Dalai Lama conducted the Kalachakra, a complex teaching and ritual of Tibetan Buddhism, near Reckong Peo. Shu should not be mistaken for Hinduism, as the Kinnauris do not consider themselves Hindus. They worship their indigenous deities, do not follow religious scriptures, and have no tradition of chanting mantras. Nature and its elements also play a central role in their worship. Some locals believe their devis and devtas are followers of Lord Shiva.
Just as every village in Kinnaur has its own deity, each village also has a unique song that narrates its history and that of its deity. Women are expected to be well-versed in local folklore and are often called upon to sing these songs during special occasions and social gatherings. Both men and women participate in dances that accompany the songs. There are two main types of dances: Kayang, where men and women form a necklace-like formation, and Chashimag, in which dancers arrange themselves in a semi-circle. Traditional musical instruments like ranshik, kansal, nagada, dhol, kannal,shehnai, bugjal, and baam are played during religious ceremonies and festivals, mostly by the silversmith and goldsmith communities. Some festivals are dedicated to worshiping deities, while others honour ancestors. Notable festivals include Phulech, Dakhren, Sazo, and Budh Purnima.
