Origin

The Mishing people migrated from the eastern Himalayan mountains to the Brahmaputra valley around the 13th or 14th century. Mising, an endonym signifying "man of the soil," carries profound cultural and historical significance for the indigenous community it represents. In contrast, "Miri," an exonym once commonly used by plains Assamese, has faded into obsolescence over time.

The etymology of "Mising" is often traced back to the Siang River, which flows into the Brahmaputra in Assam, yet the precise origins of "Miri" remain a subject of scholarly debate. Colonial-era scholars proposed that "Miri" denoted the Misings' role as intermediaries between the plainspeople of the Brahmaputra Valley and the hill tribes to the north. However, more recent scholarship has linked "Miri" to religious functions, particularly within the context of the Tani hill tribes. As the Misings migrated to the plains, they were associated with the Miri hills, known for their reputed feats of magic, leading to the adoption of the term "Miri" to identify them. The history of the Misings is deeply intertwined with that of the broader Tani people, who belong to the Sino-Tibetan linguistic group. Today the Mising community primarily resides in parts of the Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Tibetans refer to the Tani people as "Lhobas," which translates to "southerners," reflecting their geographic location in South Tibet. Within this broader context, the Misings constitute a subgroup of the Tani clan, referred to as "Lhobas" by the Tibetans. Historical records, such as the Ahom Buranjis, provide glimpses into the early presence of Misings in Assam. Initially, they inhabited the hills north of the Brahmaputra Valley and engaged in occasional raids on Ahom territory. However, subsequent interactions saw Misings integrated into the Ahom administration, with some rising to prominent positions.Mising archers, known as "Miri karnis," played crucial roles in military campaigns, including suppressing the Nagas and participating in expeditions led by Ahom rulers. The migration of the Misings from the Himalayas to the plains of Assam is a subject shrouded in oral history and folklore. While there is no written documentation of this migration, stories passed down through generations shed light on their journey. Initially hill dwellers, the Misings migrated to the plains in search of fertile land, settling along riverbanks in present-day Assam. Several theories attempt to explain the migration patterns of the Misings. One theory suggests that they migrated in multiple waves, with different Tani ethnic groups from Arunachal Pradesh converging in the plains of Assam. Another theory posits that Misings migrated to escape subjugation by neighboring groups in the Subansiri-Siang region.Regardless of the exact circumstances, Mising folklore often recounts encounters with Burmese soldiers on the Brahmaputra, indicating their presence in Assam before the Burmese invasions of 1817. In response to external pressures, such as raids from neighboring tribes and interventions by British administrators, the Misings gradually settled in the plains. Despite attempts to force them back into the hills, the Misings eventually found stability in the plains, contributing to the cultural mosaic of Assam. The formation of the Mising Bane Kebang in 1924 marked a significant milestone in the community's history. This organization, established by educated Mising individuals, continues to play a vital role in preserving Mising culture, advocating for their rights, and fostering community cohesion in the face of contemporary challenges.