Ziro Valley, Yaping Hullo, Face Tattoos, Wonderful Festivities - Tale Of Tribe Apatani

Ziro Valley - It is an isolated area surrounded by hills. Small paddy fields adjoining the sloping hills. The rain water constantly collects on the slopes of the hills and accumulates in the paddy fields. Small houses and winding hilly roads can be seen all around it. This 'Ziro Valley' is an excellent example of the coexistence of nature and man. Arunachal Pradesh is the northeastern state of India. The foothills of the Eastern Himalayas have been inhabited by many isolated peoples for centuries. Our own traditions and culture of these isolated peoples, which have developed over hundreds of years, give birth to curiosity in our minds. Similarly, the name of one community is Apatani.

Apatani tribe lives in the Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, India

The 'Apatani' people are a unique example of the coexistence and interdependence of nature and man.

Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India; Stock Photo

Apatani Tribe Population

According to the 2011 census, the population of the Apatani ethnic group is 43,777. In the past, these ethnic groups only lived in the Ziro Valley, but now they live in a wider area. Their cultivable land covers about 32 sq km . The prudent use of the limited land of the Aptani ethnic group has set them apart from other ethnic groups. They cultivate wet paddy in the relatively flat lands of the valley and fish with it. This systematic practice of land use ensures the conservation of both biodiversity and the environment.

Since when apatani tribe lives in Ziro Valley?

There is no written history of the Apatani ethnic group, all of which is oral. For this reason, it is not known exactly when they lived in the Ziro Valley. According to Tibetan and Ahom sources, the Apatanis belonged to the original group of Arunachal. They have lived in the Ziro Valley since the 15th century or earlier. But before they settled in Ziro Valley, they lived in Tali Valley . Formerly the Ziro Valley was a vast wetland. According to oral history, a prehistoric reptile 'Buru' lived there. The last Buru was killed with a brass plaque called 'Miamiya Talo' which is still preserved.

Apatani Woman with Traditional Face Tatto Yaping Hullo(Traditional Nose Plugs), Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India; Stock Photo

Apatani tribe nose plugs

The main visible custom of the Apatani ethnic group is the distinctive nose plugs of their women. In the Apatani language it is called 'Yaping Hullo'. These wooden nose plugs are commonly used by older Apatani women. It is believed that in the past, women were attacked and abducted by other ethnic groups. Apatani women had a good reputation for beauty. The women who were abducted and attacked later started wearing wooden nose plugs to make themselves unattractive. However, in 1980, the Indian government banned the practice. Now this nose plugs can be seen only in the noses of old Apatani women.

Apatani tribe tatto

Until 1974, Apatani women used to get tattoos on their foreheads with one and five long black spots on their chins. Men, on the other hand, tattooed their chins to look like the English letter 'T'. The tattoos were done with the help of a thorny tree called 'Tipe Tere'. Ink and pork fat were used as pigments. Tattoos were made on the face by repeatedly hitting the thorny bark with bamboo twigs. This painful process is subsequently stopped. With the spread of education and the passage of time, the concept of nose and tattoos of the Apatanis has changed. At present, the young Apatani does not follow these traditions, but the old faith and love remain among the old.

Apatani Man & Woman, Traditional Face Tatto, Yaping Hullo(Traditional Nose Plugs), Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India; Stock Photo

Apatani traditional farming methods

Food production in the light of prudent use of limited land and natural laws is the most unique feature of the Apatani ethnic group. The hilly region and its biodiversity as well as the culture of food production and living have set the Apatanis apart from other ethnic groups. Paddy is the main food grain of Apatani. Apatanis make paddy fields on the hill slopes and at hills bottom. The rain water constantly accrues in the field. Fish and Paddy farming is also done in the same place. The present permaculture process has been done by the Apatanis for many centuries. Permaculture refers to food production without disrupting the ecosystem. The Apatanis, like many other ethnic groups, have a culture of coexistence between nature and man. 

Due to the easy availability of irrigation water and the traditional rules of conservation of forests and water sources around the Ziro Valley, paddy cultivation is possible at the bottom of the hills. At the same time, the traditional laws on the use of forest resources and hunting have made it possible to maintain the trend of biodiversity and food grain production. While in today's modern world, the ruthless exploitation of nature and its destruction is a cause for concern, the Apatani ethnic group has maintained a love for nature and biodiversity.

Apatani Paddy Filed, Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India; Stock Photo

Apatani traditional agro forestry

While other ethnic groups cut down flat forests and cultivate on dry land, the Apatani ethnic group cultivates permanently on hilly wet slopes. The knowledge of forest cover in the hilly areas and the practice of its proper use make the Apatanis unique from other ethnic groups. Huge knowledge about nature and the animals that live with it helps them survive in hostile environments. Food production and livelihood through agro-forestry is a unique feature of the Apatani ethnic group. 

The best use of limited land has been made possible through the practice of agro-forestry and animal husbandry in pastures in the Ziro Valley. It has also made possible higher yields in the fertile valleys. Such traditional environmental knowledge carries special significance in today's world. They have separate areas for wet paddy cultivation, cemeteries, pine and bamboo orchards, and community forests. This is evidenced by the centuries-old tradition of proper use of nature and limited land.

Apatani Myoko Festival

Apatanis mainly worship nature. However, there are also Christians among them. Their main festival is 'Myoko' — the moon and sun are worshiped in this festival which lasts for about ten days. The worship are conducted by a 'shaman' or sorcerer. Pigs and chickens are sacrificed in this festival. Pigs and chickens are collected from different houses. Then after reciting the spells it is sacrificed. The festival is usually celebrated from March 20-30. Myoko is a very important festival for the community. The festival is celebrated for prosperity, friendship, and fertility.

Apatani Myoko Festival, Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India; Stock Photo

Apatani Dree Festival

The festival is usually in July. Rice and a special kind of wine are served in this festival centered on cultivation. Special dance is also performed. It is celebrated to celebrate the harvest season.

In 2014, UNESCO included the landscape of Apatani culture as a World Cultural Heritage Site

The Apatani ethnic group is an example of the diversity of human civilization and its own culture. The adaptation of customs, traditions and cultures that have developed over the ages to adapt to the hostile environment has made the Apatanis different from others. In the thousands of years of human civilization, many diverse ethnic groups have sprung up in different parts of the world. The coexistence of man and nature among the ethnic groups is very common and normal. Let's move forward with the love of life and nature like the Apatani ethnic group.