Ziro Valley of Arunachal: The Apatani way of Life

The Apatanis of Arunachal Pradesh are one of the major ethnic groups of the eastern Himalayas. The indigenous community primarily lives in the Ziro Valley region in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Known for their advanced agricultural systems, handloom designs, vibrant festivals, and deep respect for nature, the Apatanis are one of the most culturally rich and environmentally sustainable tribes of Northeast India. They are part of the larger Tani group of tribes in Arunachal – alongside the Nyishis, Tagins, Galos, Adis, Mishings – tracing their shared ancestry to the legend of ‘Abotani’. The name ‘Apatani’ comes from two words in their local language: Apa, meaning affection or regard, and Tani, referring to the human race or people. The tribe belongs to the Tibeto-Mongoloid stock and for centuries have preserved a distinct cultural identity, maintaining unique traditions, practices, and customary laws.

The Apatani valley in central-western Arunachal was once a marshy, uninhabitable expanse, believed in local folklore to be home to the mythical Buru – a mysterious, semi-aquatic amphibian said to inhabit the swamps and rivers. The buru has long been part of Apatani oral traditions, inspiring both fear and curiosity, even attracting expeditions and researchers seeking evidence of the legend. Centuries of Apatani skill and perseverance transformed the wasteland into a thriving landscape. Historical records from Tibetan and Ahom sources suggest that they have lived in the same region since at least the 15th century, first settling in the nearby Talley Valley before making Ziro their home. The word ‘Ziro’ comes from ‘Ziro (or Silo) Supung’ where “Supung” means a settlement once inhabited by their ancestors during their migration. Over time, the name was shortened to just Ziro, and ‘Valley’ was added to denote the wider region. The tribe had traditionally settled in seven villages – Hong, Hari, Billa, Dutta, Hija, Mudang-Tage, and Bamin Michi – structured according to the lineage of their ancestral forefathers. Today, the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh includes many more villages (over thirty five), yet the original seven still hold a place of prominence in Apatani heritage.

The economy of Apatani valley is primarily agrarian, with a tradition of practicing sedentary agriculture that dates back centuries.They practise a unique and sustainable agricultural system centred on wet-rice cultivation, unlike the slash-and-burn method used by many neighbouring and other Northeastern tribes. They developed a highly efficient farming system without using animals or machines. Their traditional land use and deep knowledge of natural resource management have evolved over centuries. The primary crops grown by them are rice, millet, and maize. They grow rice alongside millet and raise fish (pisciculture) in the same waterlogged fields. Integrated rice-fish cultivation is a low-input, eco-friendly practice where fish thrive on natural food in the paddies, with minimal supplementary feed. They harvest the fish by hand after draining the water at rice harvest time. Using a carefully designed network of irrigation channels and earthen dams, they manage to keep their fields well-watered even with scarce water sources. Bamboo and pine are planted around the fields. Bamboo is cultivated in large groves for timber and food, and tree felling is balanced with replanting to preserve resources. The tribe has long utilised the bamboo for building homes, fences, and furniture. Pine forests meet various requirements of the local inhabitants such as timber, planks, poles, fuelwood and medicine. This integrated approach and resourceful use of local materials is part of a broader, time-tested system of sustainable living.

In almost every Apatani household, traditional crafts are an important part of daily life. Men usually make artistic cane and bamboo items like baskets, trays, mats, mugs, and furniture, while women weave beautifully designed coats, skirts, shawls, blankets, and other fabrics. Weaving skills are often passed down from older generations, and most Apatani women are skilled weavers. Though threads are now bought from markets, they were once made from homegrown cotton. These crafts, rich in variety and design, hold cultural value and provide livelihoods. To support and promote them, the Arunachal Pradesh government offers training, subsidies, product development, and marketing assistance, with craft centers, weaving hubs, and emporiums set up in district headquarters.

The Apatanis of Arunachal are also known for a unique and fascinating practice unlike anything seen in other northeastern cultures.The once-prominent tradition involved women adorned with large wooden nose plugs, called Yaping Hullo, and distinctive facial tattoos, known as Tippei. According to legend, the practice began centuries ago to deter abductions by neighboring tribes who coveted Apatani women for their beauty and the tribe’s agricultural wealth. Sterilized wooden plugs sourced from the forest were inserted into the nostrils to make them appear larger and thus ‘mask’ their beauty. Elder women tattooed girls at about ten years of age using ink made from pig’s fat and soot. One line ran from the forehead to the nose, and five from the lower lip to the chin. Though officially banned in the 1970s, this unique cultural marker survives today only among the last generation of older Apatani women, preserving the memory of an ancient custom.

Majority of the Apatani valley people follow the indigenous Donyi-Polo faith, worshipping the Sun (Ayo Danyii) and Moon (Atoh Piilo), and honour Abotani as their ancestral founder. While a small number have converted to Christianity, most Apatanis maintain their nature-centric traditions. Their belief system is shamanic and animist, with rituals to appease spirits through animal sacrifices during misfortune. Village life is governed by traditional councils called ‘Bulyan’ or ‘Buliyang’ comprising representatives from each clan. The community celebrates three major festivals: Murung in January, a time of purification; Myoko in March, a month-long celebration of friendship and prosperity; and Dree in July, the main agricultural festival. The Apatani diet features bamboo shoots and wild foraged foods. Predominantly Non-vegetarians, their meats are complemented by the local Apong, a traditional rice and millet beer, while their centuries-old knowledge of herbal medicine and remedies reflect their enduring connection with the natural world.

In conclusion, the Apatani eco-cultural landscape in the ‘land of dawn-lit mountains’ showcases a distinctive approach to natural resource management. Their indigenous agroforestry system exemplifies sustainable resource use in Arunachal Pradesh, where resource-depelting shifting cultivation remains common. Despite modern influences, the community works to preserve its heritage by passing down history and traditions orally along with their ancestral farming skills, and traditional agroforestry knowledge across generations. Their unique manual farming techniques and fascinating cultural practices can be experienced on this curated Ziro Valley tour. Due to all of these reasons and along with their harmonious relationship with nature, Ziro Valley has been recognized on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.