Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era

Kodil Siga; Yab Rajiv Camder; Rajen Miwu; Takam Mema; Ngurang Mana; Tenzin Chimey

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era

Kodil Siga

, Yab Rajiv Camder^*

, Rajen Miwu

, Takam Mema

, Ngurang Mana

, Tenzin Chimey

Published in International Journal of Business and Economics Research (Volume 15, Issue 1)

Received: 8 January 2026 Accepted: 19 January 2026 Published: 30 January 2026

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Abstract

Background: This study explores the labour system that existed among the Tagin tribe during the prehistoric era. Before the introduction of monetary wages, the Tagins relied on locally available sources of labour, such as family members, clan groups, neighbours, relatives, slaves, and reciprocal exchange of work (Rwkyi). During that era, workers were compensated through cultural and customary forms of payment, such as rice beer, meat, rice, millet, local ornaments, and sometimes livestock, such as chickens. Objectives: The study aims to understand the traditional labour system of the Tagin Tribe during the prehistoric era. It seeks to examine the sources of labour, its uses, the participation of women, forms of payment, and methods used to measure compensation. Additionally, this research intends to document the traditional labour practices of the Tagin tribe. Method: This study uses qualitative and ethnohistorical methods. Findings: The findings indicate that the Tagin labour system was deeply rooted in cooperation and reciprocity, where work was both a social duty and a cultural practice. This traditional system ensures the survival of the community in a challenging environment and plays an important role in maintaining social harmony and collective responsibility.

Published in	International Journal of Business and Economics Research (Volume 15, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
Page(s)	1-7
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Traditional Labour System, Labour Force, Tagin Tribe, Upper Subansiri, Cultural Payment Methods, Arunachal Pradesh

References

[1]	Neba, G. (2019). Customary Laws of the Tagin tribe of Arunachal Pradesh: Continuity and Change (1st ed.). Abhijeet Publication.
[2]	Camder, Y. R., & Mody, P. (2020a). Labour Force in Arunachal Pradesh During Pre- Historic Period: A Historical Perspective. Kala Sarovar, 23(2), 407-411. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366697489_Labour_Force_In_Arunachal_Pradesh_During_Pre-_Historic_Period_A_Historical_Perspective
[3]	Chakraborty, B. (2023). Study on Tagin Community \| Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture. Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati. https://www.vkic.org/study-on-tagin-community
[4]	Badi, T. (2025). Tagin Tribe’s Sacred Biodiversity Practices. Frontier Anthropology, 14, 5-12. https://www.frontieranthro.in/fa-2025a2
[5]	Goswami, P., Soki, D., Jaishi, A., Das, M., & Sarma, H. N. (2009). Traditional healthcare practices among the Tagin tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 8(1), 127-130. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228763366_Traditional_healthcare_practices_among_the_Tagin_tribe_of_Arunachal_Pradesh
[6]	Kodak, T. (2022). Customary Law and Gender Inequality of Tribal Society with Special Reference to Tagins of Arunachal Pradesh \| EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR). EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 8(3), 1-4. https://eprajournals.com/IJMR/article/6659/abstract
[7]	Sarkar, Niranjan. (1999). The Tagins. Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Directorate of Research, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.
[8]	Directorate of Census Operations, A. P. (2011a). India - Census of India 2011 - Arunachal Pradesh - Series 13 - Part XII A - District Census Handbook, Upper Subansiri. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/188
[9]	Darshan, B. R. (2024). Upper Subansiri valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan. https://bharatrannbhoomidarshan.gov.in/destinations/details/61/upper-subansiri-valley
[10]	Government of Arunachal Pradesh, U. S. D. (2025). District Upper Subansiri. District Upper Subansiri, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. https://uppersubansiri.nic.in/
[11]	Directorate of Census Operations, A. P. (2011b). India - Census of India 2011 - Arunachal Pradesh - Series 13 - Part XII B - District Census Handbook, Upper Subansiri. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/189
[12]	Camder, Y. R., & Mody, P. (2020b). Labour Under British Colonial Period in Arunachal Pradesh-A Retrospection. Shodh Sanchar Bulletin, 10(40), 118-122. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366697481_Labour_Under_British_Colonial_Period_In_Arunachal_Pradesh-A_Retrospection
[13]	Von Fürer-Haimendorf, C. (1962). The Apa Tanis and their neighbours: A primitive civilization of the Eastern Himalayas. In The Apa Tanis and their Neighbours: A Primitive Civilization of the Eastern Himalayas (1st Edition). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315017822
[14]	Mishra, S. N. (1983). Arunachal’s Tribal Economic Formations and Their Dissolution. Economic and Political Weekly, 18(43), 1837-1846. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4372629
[15]	Sikdar, S. (1997). Economic Underdevelopment of Arunachal Pradesh: A Historical Perspective. Himalayan Publishers.

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APA Style

Siga, K., Camder, Y. R., Miwu, R., Mema, T., Mana, N., et al. (2026). Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era. International Journal of Business and Economics Research, 15(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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ACS Style

Siga, K.; Camder, Y. R.; Miwu, R.; Mema, T.; Mana, N., et al. Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era. Int. J. Bus. Econ. Res. 2026, 15(1), 1-7. doi: 10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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AMA Style

Siga K, Camder YR, Miwu R, Mema T, Mana N, et al. Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era. Int J Bus Econ Res. 2026;15(1):1-7. doi: 10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11,
  author = {Kodil Siga and Yab Rajiv Camder and Rajen Miwu and Takam Mema and Ngurang Mana and Tenzin Chimey},
  title = {Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era},
  journal = {International Journal of Business and Economics Research},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-7},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijber.20261501.11},
  abstract = {Background: This study explores the labour system that existed among the Tagin tribe during the prehistoric era. Before the introduction of monetary wages, the Tagins relied on locally available sources of labour, such as family members, clan groups, neighbours, relatives, slaves, and reciprocal exchange of work (Rwkyi). During that era, workers were compensated through cultural and customary forms of payment, such as rice beer, meat, rice, millet, local ornaments, and sometimes livestock, such as chickens. Objectives: The study aims to understand the traditional labour system of the Tagin Tribe during the prehistoric era. It seeks to examine the sources of labour, its uses, the participation of women, forms of payment, and methods used to measure compensation. Additionally, this research intends to document the traditional labour practices of the Tagin tribe. Method: This study uses qualitative and ethnohistorical methods. Findings: The findings indicate that the Tagin labour system was deeply rooted in cooperation and reciprocity, where work was both a social duty and a cultural practice. This traditional system ensures the survival of the community in a challenging environment and plays an important role in maintaining social harmony and collective responsibility.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era
AU  - Kodil Siga
AU  - Yab Rajiv Camder
AU  - Rajen Miwu
AU  - Takam Mema
AU  - Ngurang Mana
AU  - Tenzin Chimey
Y1  - 2026/01/30
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
T2  - International Journal of Business and Economics Research
JF  - International Journal of Business and Economics Research
JO  - International Journal of Business and Economics Research
SP  - 1
EP  - 7
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-756X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
AB  - Background: This study explores the labour system that existed among the Tagin tribe during the prehistoric era. Before the introduction of monetary wages, the Tagins relied on locally available sources of labour, such as family members, clan groups, neighbours, relatives, slaves, and reciprocal exchange of work (Rwkyi). During that era, workers were compensated through cultural and customary forms of payment, such as rice beer, meat, rice, millet, local ornaments, and sometimes livestock, such as chickens. Objectives: The study aims to understand the traditional labour system of the Tagin Tribe during the prehistoric era. It seeks to examine the sources of labour, its uses, the participation of women, forms of payment, and methods used to measure compensation. Additionally, this research intends to document the traditional labour practices of the Tagin tribe. Method: This study uses qualitative and ethnohistorical methods. Findings: The findings indicate that the Tagin labour system was deeply rooted in cooperation and reciprocity, where work was both a social duty and a cultural practice. This traditional system ensures the survival of the community in a challenging environment and plays an important role in maintaining social harmony and collective responsibility.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Kodil Siga

Department of Commerce, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, India

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-7259-2943
Yab Rajiv Camder

Department of Commerce, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, India

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3300-5616
Rajen Miwu

Department of Commerce, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, India

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1716-0783
Takam Mema

Department of Sociology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, India

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-0896-9789
Ngurang Mana

Department of Social Work, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, India

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-5080-3511
Tenzin Chimey

Department of Commerce, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, India

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-6188-8480

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APA Style

Siga, K., Camder, Y. R., Miwu, R., Mema, T., Mana, N., et al. (2026). Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era. International Journal of Business and Economics Research, 15(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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ACS Style

Siga, K.; Camder, Y. R.; Miwu, R.; Mema, T.; Mana, N., et al. Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era. Int. J. Bus. Econ. Res. 2026, 15(1), 1-7. doi: 10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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AMA Style

Siga K, Camder YR, Miwu R, Mema T, Mana N, et al. Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era. Int J Bus Econ Res. 2026;15(1):1-7. doi: 10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11,
  author = {Kodil Siga and Yab Rajiv Camder and Rajen Miwu and Takam Mema and Ngurang Mana and Tenzin Chimey},
  title = {Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era},
  journal = {International Journal of Business and Economics Research},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-7},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijber.20261501.11},
  abstract = {Background: This study explores the labour system that existed among the Tagin tribe during the prehistoric era. Before the introduction of monetary wages, the Tagins relied on locally available sources of labour, such as family members, clan groups, neighbours, relatives, slaves, and reciprocal exchange of work (Rwkyi). During that era, workers were compensated through cultural and customary forms of payment, such as rice beer, meat, rice, millet, local ornaments, and sometimes livestock, such as chickens. Objectives: The study aims to understand the traditional labour system of the Tagin Tribe during the prehistoric era. It seeks to examine the sources of labour, its uses, the participation of women, forms of payment, and methods used to measure compensation. Additionally, this research intends to document the traditional labour practices of the Tagin tribe. Method: This study uses qualitative and ethnohistorical methods. Findings: The findings indicate that the Tagin labour system was deeply rooted in cooperation and reciprocity, where work was both a social duty and a cultural practice. This traditional system ensures the survival of the community in a challenging environment and plays an important role in maintaining social harmony and collective responsibility.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Traditional Labour Systems of the Tagin Tribe in the Pre-Historic Era
AU  - Kodil Siga
AU  - Yab Rajiv Camder
AU  - Rajen Miwu
AU  - Takam Mema
AU  - Ngurang Mana
AU  - Tenzin Chimey
Y1  - 2026/01/30
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
T2  - International Journal of Business and Economics Research
JF  - International Journal of Business and Economics Research
JO  - International Journal of Business and Economics Research
SP  - 1
EP  - 7
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-756X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20261501.11
AB  - Background: This study explores the labour system that existed among the Tagin tribe during the prehistoric era. Before the introduction of monetary wages, the Tagins relied on locally available sources of labour, such as family members, clan groups, neighbours, relatives, slaves, and reciprocal exchange of work (Rwkyi). During that era, workers were compensated through cultural and customary forms of payment, such as rice beer, meat, rice, millet, local ornaments, and sometimes livestock, such as chickens. Objectives: The study aims to understand the traditional labour system of the Tagin Tribe during the prehistoric era. It seeks to examine the sources of labour, its uses, the participation of women, forms of payment, and methods used to measure compensation. Additionally, this research intends to document the traditional labour practices of the Tagin tribe. Method: This study uses qualitative and ethnohistorical methods. Findings: The findings indicate that the Tagin labour system was deeply rooted in cooperation and reciprocity, where work was both a social duty and a cultural practice. This traditional system ensures the survival of the community in a challenging environment and plays an important role in maintaining social harmony and collective responsibility.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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