The Weaves of Arunachal Pradesh

Musu Umbrey in her traditional home in Aaholi village wearing her traditional garments. The coat or jacket is called Etopolo.

The skirt or the wrap around, is called Thuma. It is worn by women during festivals. The length of the skirt is 1.5 metres.

The traditional skirt or wrap around is locally known as Thuma.

It takes around 2 months to weave one Thuma, as it is a mix of plain and intricate geometric woven patterns.

Thuma, being a mix of intricate traditional weaves, is fairly expensive, but worthwhile as it is worn on festive occasions when everyone in the tribe dresses in their best clothes.

Thuma, being a mix of intricate traditional weaves, is fairly expensive, but worthwhile as it is worn on festive occasions when everyone in the tribe dresses in their best clothes.

This particular thuma has a zig zag geometric weave pattern.

Traditional jewelry is an important part of tribal life. Women and men both wear accessories to match their traditional outfits during local festivals.


Here, Musu Umbrey sports silver earrings which are only worn by women. They are locally called Andisu.

Accessories worn by Musu Umbrey have been made by her at home.

Everyone is the community wears traditional jewelry during festivals.

Aane is the traditional necklace made up silver coins and beads.

Golpota is a traditional necklace which is only worn by women. It is made of orange beads with coins.

This is mostly worn by the Adi tribe during Etor festival. This festival happens on May 15 every year when everyone in the community prays for good crops in their fields.

Dudap is a necklace worn by men in the community.

Sondrong is worn by women from the Adi tribe.

Nok is worn by women of the Adi tribe.

The kamarband or belt, locally known as Sumbi is worn during festive seasons by women.

Musu Umbrey shows off her collection of traditional garments used only during festive times.

Anatubai is a colourful handwoven jacket worn by both men and women.

Here, Musu Umbray shows a new and old Anatubai together.

Abrihi is a traditional skirt with green, black and red woven stripes.

Accessories like this woven handbag are also a part of Musu Umbray's repertoire of textiles.

Jopitu is another style of woven skirt, worn usually on special occasions.

The traditional hat is made by and for menfolk out of bamboo.

Finely woven baskets are also a part of Musu Umbrey's collection.

Etojo is local jacket for men.

There are few tailors in Pasighat who stitch the fabrics to make jackets.

Its warp is of cotton and the weft is wool.

The Etopola jacket worn by women only from Idu Mishimi tribe has a geometric motif on the back.

The geometric motif is only part of women's garments.

The Etopola jacket is carefully folded to be put away with the family collection.

Etondre is a war jacket worn only by men from Mishimi tribe.

One important feature of Etondre is said to be that no arrow can pass through this jacket because the weave is extremely tight,.

Gape Gale is a red and black Minyong style fabric.

It is believed that during any mishap or unnatural death, women wear these Gale to avoid ghosts and spirits.

Adigalo is jacket for male and female both worn by members of the Adi tribe.

The jacket for men have a design at the back, which is a continuous zig zag pattern that allows a person to be distinguished from behind.

Yak wool is used to weave blankets and rugs at home just as yak meat, butter, milk, cheese and ghee are part of the staple diet of the Tibeto-Burmese community at Thembang.

The Mon-Pa men’s jacket is called Al Phudung or Chola Goithung

Petang happily shows off her community clothing consisting of the cap, Warong Jamu, white stole, Alung chola, necklace of turquoise and coral beads, Nangkor, the jacket, Todung, and the sarong, Shingka.

The belt tied around her waist is called Chudang.

Read more about Arunachal weaving here:
- Environment
- Weaving Process