Palaniappan Subramanyam, a Chennai-based photographer who is passionate about travelling and clicking pictures of people
This landlocked valley has influenced the pattern of settlement, land use, resource management, agricultural system and the evolution of a unique social fabric amongst these people. The Apatanis manipulate various variety of rice crops to capture soil nutrients, conserve water and get the best produce every season. They also practise recycling of crops to prevent nutrient loss.
Although very painful, the Apatani women follow the custom of tattooing their face, which is called yaping. The tattoos usually comprise a single line running from the forehead to the tip of the nose and then a line running horizontally under the bottom lip with five vertical lines descending from it.
Apatanis have followed the tradition of facial modification by plugging their noses with wood. This was done purposely to make women look unattractive to males from other tribes. Today’s generation refuses to wear these nose plugs but this custom has been an integral part of its cultural history.
The men usually take part in fortification of the houses in the month of December as agricultural activity is very sparse. While they aren’t fancy on architecture, Apatani houses are top-notch when it comes to utility. The houses are sturdy and every kitchen has a dedicated garden. Sometimes, tin sheets are used to roof these structures, giving them a modern touch.
Humility and transparency are the two distinct qualities that one finds in Apatani women. Tribal men have gone to lengths where they have kidnapped women because they were smitten by their beauty.
The men usually take part in fortification of the houses in the month of December as agricultural activity is very sparse. While they aren’t fancy on architecture, Apatani houses are top-notch when it comes to utility. The houses are sturdy and every kitchen has a dedicated garden. Sometimes, tin sheets are used to roof these structures, giving them a modern touch.