03/06/2026
The Apatani people of Arunachal
On our visit to Arunachal with , explained to us how we would visit the Apatani village where we would interact with and photograph the tribal elders - one of the last generations to continue the traditions of wearing face tattoos and nose plugs.
And while we did witness those traditions, we also saw the newer generation of the Apatani tribe, who may not wear the nose plugs but continue the proud tradition of being respectful about nature in their own ways. We spoke with energetic elders working on the paddy fields with hand tools, her eyes lit up when we showed her photos and asked us to take more photos with "ishtyle". The women at the vegetable market selling chillis, or our very own wildlife guide reminding us to be aware and cognizant of the frog's stress levels when photographed.
What we hear the word tribe, our minds immediately conjure up images of primitive civilizations. But that's not the case. People evolve with the changing times, but core identity and values remain strong.
Taken with Canon R6 II + EF 16-35 F2.8L III lens
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