TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEM OF THE OLLO TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

This study explores the traditional governance system of the Ollo community, an indigenous tribe residing in the Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Rooted in centuries-old customs and traditions, the Ollo communitys governance is anchored in a chieftaincy system, led by the Lowang (chief) and a council known as the Losavang, comprising village elders and respected figures. These traditional institutions have long served as mechanisms for decision-making, dispute resolution, and community leadership, operating within an unwritten but widely respected framework of customary laws. The research method adopted is qualitative and ethnographic, drawing primarily from historical analysis, community narratives, and structural-functional interpretations of traditional institutions. The study focuses on the roles and hierarchies within the governance system namely, the Lowang, Ngongpa (deputy chief), and other sub-heads of clans and the way power and responsibilities are distributed and inherited. The research also discusses rituals like Benshong, which serve as community-based justice delivery systems, and the nature of punishments for crimes under customary law. Key findings reveal that the Ollo governance system is not only hierarchical and hereditary but also participatory, emphasising consensus-building and collective responsibility. Despite modernisation, Christianity, and state-imposed structures such as the Panchayati Raj and Gaon Bura systems, the Ollo traditional system continues to play a significant role in community cohesion and identity. The conclusion emphasises the resilience, adaptability, and cultural integrity of the Ollo governance model. It argues for the recognition and integration of such indigenous systems into formal governance frameworks. The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive policy-making that acknowledges and preserves indigenous knowledge and authority structures while accommodating modern administrative norms. Through this lens, the Ollo communitys experience offers valuable insights into balancing tradition and modernity in tribal governance systems.