Village Organisation of the Totos: A Study of Traditional Governance and Cultural Practices

The Toto tribe, one of the smallest indigenous communities of North Bengal, exhibits a distinctive system of village organisation grounded in customary norms, ritual authority, and collective decision-making. This paper examines the structure, functions, and transformation of the traditional administrative framework of the Totos, with particular reference to the institution of Latchi-Jangoa (village council). Using historical and analytical methods based on secondary sources, the study analyses the roles of key functionaries—Kaiji (Subba), Gappu, Pao, and Nampan—and evaluates the impact of the Panchayati Raj system on indigenous governance. The paper argues that, despite institutional changes, traditional authority continues to shape the socio-cultural life of the community, producing a hybrid governance structure.