The Land of Biodivinity

These communities live in difficult terrains of five prominent river basins - Lohit, Dibang, Siang, Subansiri, Kameng. Their way of life is integrally linked to the dense forest cover of the state, the rivers, and the local biodiversity. 

They are completely dependent on the natural resources, and thus venerate nature.

All the communities carry an enormous ancestral understanding of different plant species, natural ways of processing those for durability and strength. 

Men of the Adi community, seen here, can finish a house in 2-3 days. However, they begin collection and preparation of raw materials much earlier.

The Miju Mishmi community traditionally live in joint families inside long houses . They have multiple fire hearths for cooking, separating each household living there. 

However, it is a dying tradition today and only a handful of long houses exist.

Another unique case of traditional architecture is that of the Apatanis. They are well-known for the architecture and design of their villages which are considered most sustainable. 

A traditional Apatani village is always surrounded by agricultural lands, forests, and mountains, making their village the core of the ecosystem.

Bamboo, of various species is the most used natural resource by all the ethnic communities of Arunachal. This is owing to the abundance of bamboo trees in its forests.

An iconic element of Apatani architecture is their typical bamboo fencing used in village houses, as seen here.

...fishing nets...

...different types of containers.

They even cook with bamboo tubes. Seen here is a Tangsa man preparing their traditional food including rice, meat, fish, all being cooked inside fresh bamboo tubes directly placed on fire.     

All communities have their unique cuisine which mostly involves boiling, smoking, roasting. 

Here two Tagin women are seen, busy in their kitchen. 

...various roots and plant materials...

...along with meat and fish. 

Meat of Mithun, a semi-domesticated cattle of this region, is a favourite! 

The traditional cooking hearths of the indigenous communities are found in the centre of their living rooms. These fire hearths are always alive keeping the household warm. The hearth is also the place around which the family members gather to chat, eat, and relax.

Some communities such as the Tangsas and Singphos are indigenous bamboo tea makers. It is one of the most fascinating practices that they actively continue till date. The Singphos are the original tea-makers in India, who introduced it to the British.

Like smoked bamboo tea, there are other specialities in food that are found only in Arunachal in India.

Seen here are the Apatani women with their indigenous salt wrapped in leaves, which they have been making from a local wild grass for generations. 

The Memba community has a unique hand operated technology of making their own noodles from a local grain, which is a delicacy.

Similar to the ingenious traditional technologies of noodle-making, or loin looms, some of the communities are known for their age-old knowledge and use of simple water wheels to generate hydro energy mainly for agrarian work.

Evidently, the deep interdependency of man and nature in these cultures have found expressions in their faith and rituals. They are animists and worship nature spirits of mountains, rivers,  forests, the sun and the moon.

The Shaman or the priest plays a major role in the community and is the most respected person. He is believed to have the power to connect with, and appease spirits, both benevolent and malevolent for maintaining peace and well-being of the villagers.

Along with Shamanism, many communities have adopted Buddhism since ages. Owing to the historical connect of Arunachal Pradesh with its bordering countries of Myanmar, China, Bhutan, via trade routes, a strong cultural diffusion is found in their practices of faith and worship.

In more recent times, there has been amazing initiatives of the community to actively protect and conserve their unique biodiversity. The Buguns are the foremost people to establish a community led biodiversity reserve in their own land.

Among those the most important discovery was the rare Bugun Liocichla bird - a critically endangered species found only in this part of the World, and named after the community.