The Apatanis are one of the major ethnic groups of the Eastern Himalayas and they have a distinct civilisation. Their systematic land use practices, rich traditional values and ecological knowledge of natural resources, and their management and conservation were all acquired, over the centuries, through informal experimentation. The tribe is known for its flamboyant culture and colourful festivals. Their expertise in intricate handloom designs, skills in cane and bamboo crafts, and vibrant traditional village councils have helped the Apatanis thrive for generations within a tiny area, the Ziro Valley, in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. This makes Ziro Valley an excellent example of a living cultural landscape where humans and the environment have harmoniously existed together in a state of interdependence navigating through changing times. Such co-existence has been nurtured by traditional customs and spiritual belief systems.
The Apatani, also known as the Tani (sub-tribe of the Tani clan in Arunachal Pradesh), are primarily concentrated in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. They trace their origins to Tibet, who migrated to their current homeland several centuries ago. Their migration is believed to have been influenced by both environmental factors and the need to escape conflicts. Settling in the Ziro Valley, the Apatani people adapted to the unique challenges of their new environment. Most Apatanis loyally follow the Donyi-Polo (Sun-Moon) faith. They are among the few tribes left who have been continuing the tradition of nature worship.
The majority of their cultural practices are related and regulated by the natural surroundings they dwell in. The traditional festivals of the Apantani tribe showcase the dynamics of their interdependence with the natural world. They celebrate Myoko, the festival of friendship and prosperity, in a grand manner lasting an entire month in March, every year. Dree, celebrated in July, represents the main agricultural festival of the Apatanis.
The process of tattooing is intricate and painful, and the resulting facial tattoos, which consist of lines and dots, are proudly displayed by the Apatani women. This age-old tradition was observed until the 1970s when the Government and Local Youth Organizations imposed a ban on nose-plug incisions. At present, only the last generation of older women from the Apatani villages have prominent facial emblems, which is a reminder of a cultural practice that is now chronicled in the past.
