Tribal Signatures – Face Tattoos of the Apatani tribe

The lifestyle of Apatani hilltribe of Arunachal Pradesh fascinates a cultural traveller on several aspects. But the one that hit me with the greatest intensity are the 2 tribal signatures of the tribe : face tattoos & nose plugs.

Getting a first glimpse of these on the internet created a desire to go and see them in person. And so I set out on this logistically challenging trip in December to satisfy the frenzy created in my head with all the readings.

I expected that seeing them and experiencing a spectrum of their lifestyle would quench my curiosity. But instead, it fuelled it. The reason for this unexpected reaction is the stark truth that was revealed as I spoke with the Apatanis – that their unique traditions are breathing their last breath.

Legend has it that the women of this tribe used to be kidnapped by neighbouring tribes because of their beauty. To prevent this the tribe began to tattoo the faces of the girls and put on nose plugs – either to repel or to brand their own young girls.

This practice was abolished after soon after India’s independence when the government provided security against kidnappings. As a result, no more faces have tattooed for the past 30 – 35 years.The youngest tattooed face I saw was about 45.

The next generation of the world, therefore, will see a rainbow of human diversity that will be missing one color – a very unique and intense color.

And the only glimpses available to the future will be through the few photographs taken since the camera was invented!

Here I present a few: