A tribal community or people reflects the blend of culture and tradition altogether. Likewise, the last group of the Apatani Tribe represents their way of living at the Apatani Plateau. Encounter these Tribal people while on your trip to Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, and engage with them to learn about their lifestyle.
Apatani Tribe’s abode, Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, is a perfect getaway for nature and peace. So, when planning a trip to northeast India, don’t miss out on the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. You can leave the everyday chaos of city life and head towards Ziro Valley to enjoy a relaxed holiday with yourself. You’ll find the Apatani Tribal people staying there in the valley. Get a chance to interact with these Apatani Tribal people and learn about their living and daily activities.
Besides being the tribal community, they are giving perfect competition to the modern world in conserving the forest. The people from the tribal community are very hospitable and will be keen to host you at their home. They are untouched by the notions of money and time & trust each other mindlessly. When in Ziro Valley, sit back & relax, live with the Apatani tribal people, and get mesmerized by their culture and traditions.
Life of Apatani Tribal People
The Apatani Tribal people are different from other tribes; they have wider faces, narrowed eyes, and a flatter nose.The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are naturally very fair but acquired a tan because of working outdoors for a long time. The older women of this tribe wear facial tattoos covering their forehead, chin & nose, along with the large round nose plugs on both sides. However, these facial tattoos & nose plugs are now banned by the government. They are engaged in agricultural practices & fishing for their living, popularly known for their sustainable farming practices. They tend to grow one crop a year & then spend their remaining time harvesting, threshing & repairing their homes.
You’ll encounter their way of life closely once you visit them and live with them. Stroll through their village & farm, and you’ll find that every household has a kitchen garden. They eat healthy meals with lots of green veggies added to their food and use ginger and green chilies in abundance. These people mostly eat rice, boiled greens, and fish or boiled meat. One strange thing you’ll see is that they don’t add salt to their food. Instead, they keep the salt separately in a bowl & sprinkle it over each morsel.
When you interact with the people of the tribe, you’ll realize how amazingly they define the coexistence of man & nature in perfect balance. When there was a fire breakdown in the village a few years ago, people residing in the neighborhoods rushed to help. Altogether, they rebuilt the town in a single day, reflecting their strong social ties.
Home-Structure of Apatani Tribes
The home structure of the Apatani tribes is made up of bamboo with concrete stilts. They used to have a thatched roof, which has now changed to tin. Now it has become easier for these people than before as they have to change it at frequent intervals. Their home comprises a verandah, one large room, and storage space. You’ll find an elevated mud hearth in the center of the large room for cooking meals. The entire family gathers around the hearth and sleeps there in the heat of the hearth. The most famous prepared drink is rice beer and red tea.
Religious & Traditional Customs
The people of Apatani abode worship the sun & moon for everything that they have today. However, many of them have converted to Christianity, and they have let go of their traditional practices. They don’t have temples or shrines; hence, they offer thanks twice a year by celebrating festivals. They organize feasts and stays for people, which last for a month. Their traditional practices, such as rituals, knowledge systems, festivals, traditional crafts, and ethnic cuisine, can be preserved for posterity.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Ziro Valley is from March to June and September to November. During this time, the weather and the skies are pleasant, making it an ideal time for trekking & hiking. The lush green valley at this point is breathtakingly beautiful. The valleys are covered with colorful flowers and dense green forests. However, it is advisable to avoid visiting it during the Monsoon season, from July to August, due to landslides and road blockages.
How To Reach
By Air: Board your flight and reach the nearest airport at Jorhat, Assam. Upon reaching there, you can easily hire a taxi and travel towards Ziro Valley.
By Train: There are two railway stations, Naharalagun, and North Lakhimpur. You can take a train to either station and hire a taxi from there to Ziro Valley.
By Road: Roads well connect Ziro Valley. You can travel by car or take a bus to get there. Get the pleasure of enjoying the scenic beauty and landscapes while traveling by road.
Explore the life of the Apatani Tribal people in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Experience their ways of life and live with them to feel the essence of tribal life. Enjoy their local food and engage with the tribals to learn more about them. Book your Arunachal Pradesh tour packages from Indian Holiday, and don’t forget to include Ziro Valley in your itinerary. CALL NOW..
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