People & Population :

The dwellers of Majuli are mostly tribal folk. These tribal are the mishing tribes from Arunachal Pradesh and who immigrated here centuries ago. Apart from them, the inhabitants are also from the Deori and Sonowal Kacharis tribes. Languages spoken here are Assamese, Mishing, Deori. The island has twenty-three villages with a population of 150,000 and a density of 300 individuals per square km. The only mode of association to the outside world is through a ferry service which operates only twice a day. Despite inherent drawbacks faced, modernism has touched this island, with the setting up of power, medical centres and educational institutions. Housing too, has segued from traditional bamboo and mud construction to ones made of concrete.

The heart of all villages is the namghar, where villagers episodically gather to sing and pray. It is usually the temple of the village. After the rituals are complete, members decide on issues concerning the village such as auctioning of fishing rights, what to do with money raised, and other topics of significance to the community.

The inhabitants are expert navigators by boat; their expertise is most visible during the monsoon season when they navigate the turbulent waters of the Brahmaputra. Extremism is also a major concern in the region. The insurgent group the ULFA, has a wide network in the region and was responsible for the execution of social worker Sanjoy Ghosh who was trying to uplift the people of the island.

Population

As per 1991 Census, total population of the island is 1.35.578 Nos of which Schedule Caste is 19278 Nos and Schedule Tribe is 57,357 Nos with total house of 20,040 Nos and houses of 19,955 Nos.

 

1901 35000 1971 94000 1991 136000 (Male : 70000, Female : 65000) 1996 152000 Estimated rate of Growth During       1971 - 1991 - 1.8%       1991 - 1996 - 2.4%