TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE IN TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE
STUDY OF THE MONPA MANGMA AND SHERDUKPEN BLU IN
ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Dr. Yeshi Gyesen

doi:10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.025

Title: TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE IN TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MONPA MANGMA AND SHERDUKPEN BLU IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Authors: Dr. Yeshi Gyesen
Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER) ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume: 11 Issue: 9 Publication Date: September 2026 DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.025
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Dr. Yeshi Gyesen Associate Professor, Department of Political Science Principal, Dorjee Khandu Government College, Tawang
MLA 8 Gyesen, Dr. Yeshi. "TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE IN TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MONPA MANGMA AND SHERDUKPEN BLU IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 9, Sept. 2026, pp. 4859-4877, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.025. Accessed Sept. 2026. APA 6 Gyesen, D. (2026, September). TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE IN TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MONPA MANGMA AND SHERDUKPEN BLU IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(9), 4859-4877. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.025 Chicago Gyesen, Dr. Yeshi. "TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE IN TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MONPA MANGMA AND SHERDUKPEN BLU IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 9 (September 2026), 4859-4877. Accessed September, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i09.025.
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ABSTRACT: Traditional institutions of governance have played an important role in regulating social life among the indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh. Among the Monpas, the traditional village council is known as the Mangma, while among the Sherdukpens it is called the Blu. These institutions historically performed a wide range of judicial, administrative, developmental, economic, and socio-cultural functions. They maintained village discipline, settled disputes, organized collective labour, managed common resources, supervised religious activities, and preserved customary values. This article examines the changing role of the Monpa Mangma and Sherdukpen Blu in the context of modern administration. It focuses on the transformation of traditional leadership, the emergence of the Gaonbura system, the expansion of Panchayati Raj institutions, the influence of party politics, and the growing interaction between customary and formal legal systems. The study finds that the traditional councils have lost several of their earlier administrative and developmental powers, but they continue to possess social legitimacy and cultural importance. Their future relevance depends on proper documentation of customary laws, protection from political interference, greater participation of women and disadvantaged groups, procedural fairness, and constructive coordination with statutory institutions.

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