The Weavers of Arunachal Pradesh

A part of Pasi Ghat is situated on the banks of East Siang river.

The river originates from Tibet and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh.

One side of the East Siang river bank is covered with lush green vegetation and breathtaking scenery. The other side of the bank is covered with stones and pebbles.

A hanging bridge at Kekar Monying. This is 35 kms away from Pasighat on the way to Rottung village, which is a home to the Galo Tribe.

The earlier bridge was made of bamboo, hence precarious. This one was later built of steel wires and metal sheets from cargo containers.

Due to the hilly terrain, stepped farming is widely practiced in the Pasi Ghat region.

This tranquil view is from Rottung village, which lies on the Siang River, nearly 50 kilometres from Pasi Ghat.

On the way to Abor Country Camp.

The camp is situated amidst the hills in Pasi Ghat, and is made out of bamboo, reflecting local community settlements.

Houses in Balek Roing village.

The village has just 9 houses and it is here that many weavers create the traditional Gale, a Minyong style fabric.

On the way between Rottung village and Pasighat. Monsoon rains are prolonged and heavy in Arunachal Pradesh.

Most of the population wear their locally woven clothes.

On the way between Rottung village and Pasighat, a farmer shields himself with a home-made bamboo basket.

On the way between Rottung village and Pasighat a local farmer takes home his Mithun, the local breed of cattle found in many areas in North East India.

There are around 50 houses in Rottung village, mostly belonging to the Galo tribe.

A few like this may be built with modern materials but most homes are made of bamboo.

Pigs, domesticated, are found in many homes.

A street market in Pasi Ghat where women sell dried fish, chillies, ginger, locally grown vegetables, spices and bamboo shoots.

The stone of the Anglo-Abor War is kept in Kekar Monying, as a remembrance of the war which broke out between the local community and the British in 1911.

Bamboo is widely used for many purposes by all communities in Arunachal Pradesh.

At Balek Roing village there are only 9 houses but women from most houses practice handloom weaving on loin looms.

A weaver’s family in Balek Roing village.

Most male members from the village are busy farming and only the women weave.

The woman weaving is Opek Ering, who, along with her daughter Aido Ering is preparing the warp.

Traditional hats found in Musu Umbrey’s house in Aaholi village.

She is the head of the Nani Group, a local Self Help collective. The home-made bamboo hats are worn during the Reh festival which is the main traditional festival for the neighbouring communities.

The interior wall of Musu Umbrey’s house has a collection of skulls of Mithun, the local name for a breed of cattle in this region.

A traditional bamboo basket found in Musu Umbrey’s house. This basket is used by women when they are working in the fields during cultivation.

A family from Mongku village which is home to the Adi tribe, one of the largest tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. There are approximately 60 houses in the village.

The women are weaving traditional Gale which is a wrap-around garment.

A family from Mongku village which is a home to Adi tribe. The women are weaving the traditional Gale, a wrap around for women.

Looms are stationed inside homes, as the area gets excessive rainfall during June and July.

The large traditional sword used by the community, seen here, is called ambre.

A traditional kitchen in a local house is in the centre of the room.

It has a suspended platform over the fire to keep the cooked dishes warm.

Due to excessive rain in the region, foodstuffs often get and stay damp.

To solve this, each home features a bamboo platform suspended from the ceiling, and positioned above the fireplace, to keep grain and other food items dry and warm.

Srimati Aajuke’s husband wears a Tipha Lopa.. It is simple and much cheaper in price than other traditional male garments.

The colour of the fabric is pure natural-dyed indigo.

Musu Umbrey’s bamboo home.

She is the head of the women’s group and an effective organizer of weavers.

A portrait of Musu Umbrey’s family.

Menga Umbrey the husband stands along with their daughter-in-law, Sitom Umbrey on his right, while Musu is at his left.

Read more about Arunachal Weaving here:
- Weaving Process
- Mon pa weaves