Study of the Intangible Heritage of the Apatani Tribe, Arunachal Pradesh

The project on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the Apatani Tribe aimed to document specific aspects of ICH in the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, following the guidelines of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on ICH. Conducted between 2015 and 2017, the project was led by Dr. Bina Gandhi Deori, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ancient History, Culture, and Archaeology at Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, and was submitted to the INTACH Delhi Chapter.

Arunachal Pradesh, the north-eastern most state of India, remains largely unexplored due to its remote location, challenging mountainous terrain, and difficult-to-access topography. Additionally, globalization has negatively impacted the region’s indigenous cultures. The Apatani tribe, for example, lacks a written script, so their traditions are passed down orally, and much of their material culture, made primarily of bamboo and wood, is perishable. The project’s focus on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) includes documenting the Apatanis’ oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and traditional craftsmanship of the Apatanis in the Lower Subansiri district.

The project utilized both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was gathered through site visits, surveys, interviews, photographic documentation, museum visits, and scheduled observations, while secondary data was obtained from official records, published books, research papers, journals, and online references.

The tribe is commonly known as the Apatani, although they refer to themselves as Tanii. Colonial records mention them as ‘ApaTanang.’ In fact, they were one of the first tribes in Arunachal Pradesh to have contact with the British in the mid-20th century. Ethnographers Christoph von Haimendorf and Ursula Graham Bower, who studied them in the 1940s, were greatly impressed by their peaceful existence and well-organized social life.

According to the 2011 census, the Apatani population stands at 29,546, residing in 35 villages, seven of which are considered older than the others. Like other Tani tribes, they trace their lineage to the legendary ancestor Abo-Tani. Traditionally, they worship Danyi-Piilo, the Sun and the Moon. However, over the years, many Apatanis have converted to Christianity due to various factors.

The Apatanis possess a rich oral tradition, including forms like Miji-Migun and Busi-Ayu, which cover rites, rituals, historical narratives, and even texts for recreation. Unfortunately, the Apatani language, Tanii Agun, is gradually disappearing from usage. In 2009, UNESCO classified it as a ‘definitely endangered’ language in its Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger.

One of the reasons for the decline of the Apatani language is the rise of English-medium convent schools in Arunachal Pradesh, which promote communication in English while discouraging the use of indigenous languages. Hindi has also emerged as the lingua franca across the state. 

Fortunately, many Apatanis are recognizing this issue and are encouraging the use of the Apatani language at home. NGOs like the Popi Sarmiñ Society are dedicated to preserving Apatani culture by publishing a bilingual quarterly journal, ‘Popiriscope,’ in both English and the Apatani language, focusing primarily on Apatani culture.

For the Apatanis, festivals serve as important social bonding events among families, clans, and villages. The major festivals they celebrate are Muruñ, Myoko, Dree and Yapung. The study highlights that, since their economy is largely based on agriculture and livestock breeding, the festivals are intended to ensure: (i) protection of crops from pests and a bountiful harvest, (ii) the health of their livestock, and (iii) prosperity and well-being of all clansmen. The shaman plays a key role in performing many festival rituals and acts as a healer. It is believed that the spirits communicate with the shaman through the medium of eggs and chicken liver. However, modernity, economic challenges, and the spread of Christianity have led to a steady decline in the shaman’s role.

Food and feasting are also key elements of Apatani festivals. Apatani cuisine is primarily plant-based, incorporating bamboo shoots and fermented soybeans, similar to much of the Northeast. Two notable dishes are Pikey Pila, a traditional spicy dish, and Tapyo, a locally made Apatani salt, which is believed to naturally help treat goitre.

Traditional dances such as Daminda and Pakhu Ittu are commonly performed during many of their festivals. The Apatanis also use various unique musical instruments, including the Elu, Tajor, and Gangu. The Apatanis have a highly developed indigenous farming system based on wet cultivation. Their integrated paddy-cum-fish farming method is well-known in other parts of Southeast Asia, including China, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

The study highlights the traditional medicinal practices of the Apatanis, noting that they utilize over 158 plant species. It emphasizes the need for prompt documentation and conservation of these traditional medicinal plants to enhance the potential of herbal medicine. The study also provides a list of various herbs, detailing their botanical names, local names, and uses.

Like many other indigenous communities, the Apatanis have a unique tattooing tradition that is now fading into obscurity. In the past, tattooing was more of a social obligation than a personal choice, serving as a marker of belonging to the Apatani tribe. Women traditionally sport a long line of tattoos from their forehead to the tip of their nose, along with five smaller straight lines on their chin known as Tüpè. Men typically have a small ‘T’-shaped tattoo on their chins. The ink used for these tattoos is made from a mixture of pig’s fat and soot from the fireplace. To enhance their beauty, women wear large cane plugs in their noses called Yapiñ Hulo and ear plugs known as Yaru Hukho.

Similar to the tattooing tradition, their textile traditions have also struggled to survive due to modern influences. The study highlights the importance of preserving their intangible culture amid the overwhelming effects of globalization and suggests measures that can be implemented to safeguard and revitalize Apatani culture.