Arunachal Pradesh

The People

Arunachal is the homeland of 26 well known indigenous communities and several allied ethnic groups of the Indo-Mongoloid race of Tibeto-Burman linguistic family, each having a distinct identity shaped by the unique history and narrative of their migration, settlement, cultural diffusion, traditions, trade relations, economies, and way of life.

Adis are spread across the state and belong to the Tani group of people .

Adi

The Akas live in East and West Kameng.. Their lives revolve around the forests.

Aka

The Apatanis migrated from Tibet and settled in the Ziro valley.

Apatani

Mostly living in the Singchung subdivision of west Kameng district, they are biodiveristy protectors

Bugun

The Galos inhabit west Siang, Lepa Rada and lower Siang districts. Green is their identity colour.

Galo

Known as Kiratis meaning people of the eastern Himalayas, the Idus believe they migrated from Tibet

Idu Mishmi

Khampti people reside in Namsai district. They are known for their skills of taming wild elephants.

Khampti

They are found in Shiyogi and Siang districts. They are one of the largest Buddhist communities.

Memba

The Mijis constitute an agrarian society who live in East Kameng, West Kameng and Kurung Kumey dist

Miji

The Miju Mishmis stay in Lohit and Anjaw districts. They have strong indigenous medicinal knowledge.

Miju Mishmi

The Monpas live in the West Kameng district. They are the Yak cheese traders.

Monpa

Nyishis are mostly settled in the western and north-western part of Arunachal. They excel in hunting

Nyishi

The Puroiks live in upper and lower Subansiri districts. They do not conform to materialism.

Puroik

Sherdukpens live in the west Kameng district and are known for their sustainable architecture.

Sherdukpen

The Singphos inhabit the Lohit and Changlang districts. Their society is divided into clans.

Singpho

Tagins belong to Tani group of people primarily living in Daporijo in Upper Subansiri district.

Tagin

Tangsas live in Changlang district and are famous for their tea.

Tangsa

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural heritage. Also called living cultural heritage, it is usually expressed in one of the following forms: oral traditions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship. ICH of Arunachal Pradesh is shaped by the traditional belief systems and the natural environment.

The traditional necklaces of Tagins are called Golpota.

The Monpa men wear red jackets with head gear made out of Yak hair

The Miju Mishmi people, till date practice the traditional perserving methods by smoking, drying and

The Monpas make different kinds of snacks along with some tangerines.

The jaws of various animals are preserved by the Akas to serve their rituals

Idu-Mishmis have a rich tradition of weaving textiles on their backstrap looms.

Adi women wear coin chokers called 'Golpota', a silver necklace with a pendant 'Nok'

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Nature - Culture

The indigenous wisdom and cultural practices of people of Arunachal highlight how nature and culture are closely intertwined.

Safeguarding

Local communities sustain their biocultural heritage which includes biological resources, cultural places and traditional knowledge systems.

Travel to Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh, the land of all encompassing scenic beauty, is rich in biodiversity, different cultures, flavourful foods and cordiality of indigenous people who have opened their home and hearth to visitors.

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Enjoy Arunachal

Regions of Arunachal that one can travel to marked on the map. On scrolling each of the reagion gets highlighted with its name marked.

Explore >>

Marvel at Arunachal

Regions of Arunachal that one can travel to marked on the map. On scrolling each of the reagion gets highlighted with its name marked.

Explore >>

Resources

Celebrating Life and Nature

The Land & its Rivers

The People

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Go to ICH >>

Nature - Culture

The indigenous wisdom and cultural practices of people of Arunachal highlight how nature and culture are closely intertwined.

Safeguarding

Local communities sustain their biocultural heritage which includes biological resources, cultural places and traditional knowledge systems.

More Films

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Stories & Blogs

Stories

Tangsa: Making of Tea

Nyishi: Nyokum Festival

Apatani: The black salt makers

Blog

The Land of Biodivinity

Lifestyle of Memba

Exotic Weaves of Arunachal Pradesh

Travel to Arunachal

Enjoy Arunachal

Marvel at Arunachal

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