My journey led me to the remote corners of India’s northeastern frontier – Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. These mountainous states, tucked away between Bhutan, Tibet, and Myanmar, remain among the least explored regions of the subcontinent. Here, I sought out communities living according to age-old traditions, preserving cultural practices that have nearly vanished elsewhere in our rapidly changing world. What I discovered was a mosaic of tribal societies, each with their distinct identity yet sharing a profound connection to their ancestral lands and ways of life.
I visited and documented following communities:
Arunachal Pradesh
Sherdukpen – A small Buddhist community inhabiting the valleys of western Arunachal Pradesh. Their unique culture blends Tibetan elements with local traditions. They are renowned for the colorful Khikshaba festival, during which they celebrate the triumph of good over evil through ritual dances wearing traditional masks.
Monpa – One of the region’s oldest communities, practicing Tibetan Buddhism. Master craftspeople, they create paper from tree bark, carve intricate wooden objects, and weave distinctive colorful textiles. Their monasteries in Tawang serve as important spiritual and cultural centers.
Nyishi – The largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh. Traditionally recognizable by their distinctive headgear adorned with hornbill beaks (now replaced with eco-friendly alternatives). Their social life is organized around strong clan structures, while traditional herbal medicine knowledge is passed down through generations.
Apatani – A community known for their unique rice-fish farming system, recognized by the FAO as a model example of sustainable resource management. Apatani women were distinguished by traditional facial tattoos and large bamboo earrings, although this practice is fading among younger generations.
Nagaland
Konyak – Once feared headhunters, today fascinating guardians of tradition. Elder tribe members bear characteristic facial tattoos symbolizing past war victories. Their wooden carvings, brass jewelry, and traditional stilt houses form a unique element of Nagaland’s cultural landscape.
Other Naga tribes – Encompassing 16 major groups (including Ao, Angami, Sema, Lotha), each with its own language, attire, and customs. They share a strong sense of Naga identity, expressed during the annual Hornbill Festival, where they showcase spectacular war dances, traditional songs, and craftsmanship. Naga communities have undergone a fascinating transformation – from isolated warrior tribes to modern societies that proudly preserve their heritage.