Historical Perspective:

The Mishings, formerly known as the Miris, belong to the family of the aboriginal tribes of the north eastern region of India. Originally dwelling in the northern hills, they subsequently came down to the valley in the medieval period by following the river courses. They are now plain tribes of Assam chiefly inhabiting the districts of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Golaghat and Sonitpur.

The Mishings, now forming a considerable part of the tribal population of the north-east, have their distinct social behaviour, living pattern, dwellings, socio-religious functions, agriculture, dresses and language.

The term 'Miri' which was used to name of the Mishings is found the first in the works of Sri Sri Shankardeva, then in the Govt. Documents and writings of the British writers and Parisian histories, and the past Assam histories. During the British rule attempt was made to identify the Mishings and to analyze the etymology of the term 'Miri'. Some Mishing scholars also have undertaken the etymological study of the term and have associated it with religion in its origin. The term has close affinity with the Tibetan language also considering the etymology of the term in religious, cultural, social and historical perspectives. We may 'deduce' that they are the descendents of the Mongoloid origin inhabiting in the North East India, later on coming to the plain of Assam in course of time.

The tribe has a glorious past which was mentioned by the Chinese traveler Huen tsang also. They established a good relation with the Ahoms during the Ahom regime.

Many Mishing people took part in India's Independent movement. Among them martyr Kamala Miri, Betha Ram Pegu, Bimala Kanta Doley, Ghanashyam Doley etc. are worth mentioning.

Mishings are generally of calm nature. Tolerance is their racial characteristics. Many families live together (Joint family) in the same house.

They like to pass their time in frolic. Both males and females sing and dance together. They are hardworking and self-dependent in agriculture and other fields.

Religion and Folk-belief:

Do-ni-polo, sun and Moon, are the chief god and goddess of worship according to the Mishing religious faith. They call mother Do-ni (Sun) and father Polo (Moon). According to the Mishing religious belief, the gods and goddesses are divided into two groups e.g. benevolent and malevolent. The chief Puruhit of the Mishing religious cult is 'Mibu', being the most revered person in the Mishing society. He can meet the God and goddess, can chant 'Abang Mantres', rhyming songs about the origin of the world including man, all creatures and powers of different nature.

The main worship observed by the Mishings are 'Dobur', 'Taleng ui' and 'urom'. Generally chickens and pigs are offered in Mishing worship. There are many folk beliefs among the Mishings such as existence of soul Yalo, 'Epom' and the like. They believe the present existence and existence after death according to virtue and vice.

However many Mishing had adopted the Vaishnavite faith of Sankardeva, the saint philosopher of 16th century.

Village House and Organisations :

Generally the Mishings are live on the bank of river. They live in 'Chang ghar' i.e. house with raised platform. The construction of the Mishing house is featured by pouring rain, river side habitat, flood, earthquake etc. A 'Mil bong' (Male) is entrusted with the right of maintaining and managing the Mishing family. The husband keeps close watch or his wife's acts in matters of rearing and feeding the children. The wife also serves her husband sincerely. In the Mishing family preference goes to son not to daughter. Generally, Mishing villages stand separate from one another by paddy field, jungle, river and rivulet etc.