How can we save unique Apatani culture?

 The Apatani tribe of Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh is an indigenous group in India that has a unique culture and way of life. We all must put efforts in saving our unique culture, one must do these:

Photo credit : Hassang Frame's

1. Educate yourself about the culture: Learn about the Apatani people, our history, customs, traditions, and beliefs. This will give you a better understanding of our culture and the challenges we face.

2. Promote cultural tourism: Encourage people to visit the Apatani region i.e. Ziro valley where we are originated and learn about our culture. This can help create awareness and generate income for the community.

3. Support local artisans: The Apatani people have a rich tradition of handicrafts, such as bamboo and cane work, weaving, and pottery. Buy their products and support their livelihoods. Perhaps you also can learn to weave.

4. Encourage the younger generation to save our unique culture: Many young Apatani people are moving away from their traditional way of life. we must encourage them to learn about their culture and take pride in their heritage.

5. 

   Photo credit : Hassang Frame's

   
   

   

   Photo credit : Hassang Frame's

   
   

   
   

6. Preserve the environment: The Apatani people have a unique way of farming that is ecologically sustainable. Encourage the preservation of their traditional farming methods, which also will preserve the environment. we should work towards sustainability.

7. 

   Photo credit : Tage Kanno

8. Partner with local organizations: Support local organizations that work to promote and preserve the Apatani culture etc.

Overall, it's important to approach cultural preservation in a respectful and collaborative way by our government working with the Apatani people themselves to ensure that their culture is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

Transplantation period: Halyin allu ludu

Danyi donge dola hwla dumo duji kema;

Mwdo domiñ dola hwla damo daji kema!

Halyiñ allu si hache' myodu.

(Literal translation:

Can't stop working just because sun is shining too hot;

can't stop and stand still just because it is raining heavily!

Halyiñ pwlo is the busiest time.)

Ziro natives are busy in transplantation their paddy saplings from #Midiñ(Nursery) to #Aji (paddy field). One of the busiest month for our farmers.

Photos taken from various sources.

Endi (rice saplings) kwnne hepe donw?
Endi akkw kwkuñ, kwnyi, kwhiñ, kwpe, kwngo....

Midiñ (Nursery)

Endi bu'do

Ziro at present : Endi bu'nnw bo bu'nyado, endi lwnnw bo lwnyada.
PC #KojMama

Apatani Valley- Ziro

 National Tourism Day is celebrated on 25th January every year in India. This video by Ngunu Ziro  is the best representation of Apatani Valley- Ziro for tourism. Do explore Apatani people, culture, tradition and enjoy the natural beauty of Ziro.  The best time to visit Ziro depends upon the nature of tourist. Cultural tourist can visit Apatani in the month of January & March -when major rituals like Murung and Myoko takes place. Also, one can enjoy Dree festival in the first week of July, Apatani showcases their culture and culinary during this agriculture festival. There is no exceptional time for Eco-Tourists, they can visit our valley in any season.

#Ngunu_Ziro

#Zir0_Tourism

Why did Apatanis practiced TATTOOING and NOSE-PLUGS (TIIPEY-YAPING)?

Photo  credit: Incredible Apatani valley

Why did Apatani tribe practiced TATTOOING and NOSE-PLUGS (TWPEY/TIIPEY-YAPIN)?
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Whenever such question is asked to anyone of us being an Apatani, it becomes difficult to answer  instantly.  Absence of any written record makes it more tough  to cite the actual reason for the practice of tattooing (by both men and women in past) and nose-plugs( or nose plates by women) . Mythological beliefs in connection to facial arts pracaticed by Apatani people is as follow:

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This is a verse of Ami Niido from YORDA AYU –which is specially held during MURUNG festival. YORDA AYU is a form of MIJI-MIGUN dated from IIPYO-LEMBA and MUDO-LEMBA.
Kui kuli mi bije senyo la,
Kui kupe mi tiipe lenyo la,
Kui kuting mi ruting hugila,
Kuji pu mi byigo kuji pa,
Kusang pu mi pingang kussang pa,
Popi popa mi dimang dimpa pa,
Byundo Tabyung mi nyinding pa,
Radotiira mi map pa hempo la,
Talu myopu mi pyunyo la,
Talo myokha mi khenyo la.
Mudo Amyo poro ho,

Jindo Tajing mi pamung murii do,hetea terii do.

(shared by Mr. DANI TASSER in whatsapp group).

Here “Kui kupe mi tiipe lenyo la” reveals that TIIPE (Tattoo) was practiced by TANIIs from time immemorial.

This excerpt taken from “Silver Jubilee Dree Souvenir, 2000” give details about Mythological beliefs on practice of tattooing amongst Apatani. The softcopy version was provided by Respected Mr. GYATI RANA.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TATTOO AMONG THE APATANIIS (TIIPE PAKO NIING)

By Prof. PURA TADO, Dept. of Political Science Arunachal University, Now Rajiv Gandhi University.

Once upon a time there was a very beautiful lady called Ami Niidon Biinyi. She was very beautiful and was expert in all trades which a lady was expected to know. She was waiting for someone to propose her for marriage. Unfortunately for her, time passed by and no one came forward to propose her. She was growing older day by day yet no one was ready to marry her. Along with her growing age she would lose her capacity to be a mother. This thought made her sleepless and made her older. She could not bear her predicament anymore and one day decided to ask God to solve her problem. Accordingly she asked God to tell her ways by which she could regain her lost youth and beautiful once again so she could attract somebody to marry her. “In order to regain your youth and beauty and capacity to be mother, you must tattoo your face and to have lot of poultry and cattle to support you, you must wear Nose plug (Yaping hulo), Ear plug (Yaru Hukho) and rutting yarang (Large flat brass ring)” God told and advice her.

As per direction of the God, Ami Niido Biinyi tattooed her face, put on nose plugs, wore Ruting Yarang, Lo!! And behold she became very young again and very beautiful to look at. Her beauty attracted Miido Jindo Tajing towards her and he proposed to marry Ami niido Biinyi. She accepted the marriage proposal of Jindo Tazing and they married and lived happily ever. Their marriage results in birth of Khalos. They also had lot of poultry and cattle. The Birds and animals in the jungle were their poultry and cattle.When Pinsang Gyut, one among the Khalos, was born he saw some design on the pine Tree. He wanted these design to be with him and copied it from Pine Tree. Thus Apatani/ Tanii copied Tattoing from Pinsang Gyut and the tattooing became part of Tanii culture. However, the culture of tattooing themselves among Apa Taniis have been given up completely since last twenty five years years back. Along with it culture of wearing ear, nose plug and Ruting Yarang has also disappeared.

From the above mythological story we find that tattooing was adopted by Ami Niido Biinyi in order to restore her youth, beauty and fertility. As a result of tattooing herself she regained her beauty, youth and become mother of all the khalos. Khalos are clans inhabiting various areas in the Earth. The Apatani being small in number compared to other communities surrounding them even to-day must have been very less in number in ancient time. Their strong urge to increase their population for self preservation must have made them copy the tattooing of Ami Niido Biinyi to be fertile fecund as her .In Order to support the increased population and their needs, one needs more livestock’s indeed. To achieves this goal wearing of big nose plugs and Ruting Yarang was encouraged amongst the ladies of Apatani. And it is logical, household economy in Apatani communication is managed by the ladies.

The designs of the tattoos have been copied by the Pinsang Gyute from Pine tree. Pine Tree are plenty in the Tanii Land – Ziro. Indeed, there are designs to be found in a pine Tree both externally as well as internally. Moreover, in Festivals related to fertility and prosperity like Murung, Subu and Myoko, Pine wood alone is used in ritual even to-day.

Thus, this mythological story throws light on some aspects of the Apatani culture and life. It also leads us to some aspect of Apatani/Tanii history and ambience surrounding it in ancient time. In short, the Apatani used tattoos, ear and nose plugs and Ruting Yarang to buttress their psychological needs to face the inhospitable environments surrounding them in early days. And indeed, it has done well in overcoming adverse environment and survives till date.

Note: This article is based on an interview the author had with Sri Takhe Piilo, a priest from Hangu (or Hong) on 11th May 1998. The inferences are that of author.

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To conclude this post, @savetanii believes that tattooing and nose plugs have been practiced in past for the purpose of #BEAUTIFICATION, #FERTILITY and mark of arrival of #PUBERTY.

Tattoos also played role of mark identity one being #Apatani. It was considered as beautification not as disfigurement as perceived.

#TSD #AYA #AWAZ and other #NGOs based at Ziro needs to generate common tourist brochure about #TIIPEY_YAPIÑ (Facial arts practiced by older generation Apatani) for the visitors of #APATANI_PLATEAU.

   NOTE: PRACTICE OF FACIAL ARTS PRACTICED BY APATANI HAS BEEN COMPLETELY BANNED SINCE EARLY 1970S. Apatani people born after 1970s do not practices facial tattoos.

#apatani_belief_on_tattooing

#unique_nose_plugs

#olden_days_apatani

#myths_on_apatani_tattooing

#why_apatani_tattooed_their_face

#Apatani_tattoo

#Apatani_body_arts

#twpey_yapiñ

#Apatani_tattoo

‪#‎apatanibeliefontattooing‬
‪#‎uniquenoseplugs‬
‪#‎oldendaysapatani‬
‪#‎mythsonapatanitattooing‬
‪#‎whyapatanitattooed‬

Apatani clans and their distribution

How many clans are to be found among the Apatanis, and where are their members ?

Below is the distribution of clans on Ziro plateau as given by the latest Census data (Hapoli town is not taken into account here). The largest clans of one given village (in terms of population size) appear in bold. For the sake of convenience, those represented locally by less than 10 members are not mentioned. However I hope everyone will be able to find his/her own clan in corresponding locality... Please correct my mistakes, if any.

BAMIN-MICHI :

• Bamin : Bamin, Hano, Racho, Tilling, Tamo
  
• Michi : Dilang, Dule, Michi, Taniyang
  
• Bree : Bamin, Buru, Ligang, Mudang, Tage, Tamo

BULLA :

• Reru : Duyu, Habung, Khoda, Kuru, Nani, Nenkar, Padi
  
• Kalung : Kalung, Lod, Mom, Nako, Subu, Tailang,
  
• Tajang : Mihin, Millo, Misso, Ngilyang, Radhe, Rubu, Tage
  

DUTTA : Chiging, Koj, Mobia, Yachang

HARI : Doging, Dusu, Gyati, Hage, Landi, Narang, Nending, Tadu, Tasso

HIJA : Dani, Dimper, Haj, Hidu, Kime, Kago, Miri, Nada, Nending, Nenko, Pullo, Pura, Pyagang, Taku, Taro, Taru

HONG : Budhi, Bullo, Bulyu, Hibu, Kago, Kani, Mudang, Nami, Narang, Neha, Padu, Punyo, Tabing, Tallo, Tapi, Tilling, Takhe, Tinyo

LEMPIA : Barme, Mihin, Millo, Misso, Nani, Ngilyang, Radhe, Rubu, Tage

MALIONG : Mihin, Millo, Rubu, Tage

MANI POLYANG : Bullo, Bullyu, Hibu, Hoj, Narang, Punyo, Takhe, Tallo,

MUDANG-TAGE : Buru, Ligang, Liagi, Mudang, Tadu, Tage

OLD ZIRO : Chiging, Dani, Duyu, Habung, Hage, Haj, Kago, Kalung, Khoda, Koj, Kuru, Lod, Mobya, Mihin, Millo, Mobya, Mom, Nako, Nani, Nending, Ngilyang, Padi, Puna, Pura, Rubu, Subu, Tailyang, Tage, Taku, Taro, Taru, Yachang

SIRO : Budhi, Bullo, Hibu, Kago, Kani, Kuru, Mudang, Narang, Punyo, Radhe, Tabing, Takhe, Tallo, Tapi, Tilling

PB

Apatani clans

Apatani naming system

In Apatani tradition we have got two distinct sets of first names for males and females. Most of our names don't bear any meaning, and we also use them only for the sake of naming human beings :)
Many times people asked me : "What does your name mean ???" Huh !!! Luckily my name has got a meaning so I can tell them what it is, but actually most of them don't have any.

While trying to sort out the typical Apatani names I realised that most are very specific to us, and it seems that we don't share a common naming system with other decendants of Abotani such as Nyishis, Adis, Galos, Tagins etc. (anyway I'm sure that we must have a few names in common). In Apatani we prefer to rename the newborn babies with the names of some of our ancestors (close paternal relatives only), with this restriction that two living persons of the same clan should not share the same ancestor's name. That undoubtely encourages the use of a wide array of names. In case of untime death of a man whose son was still in the mother's womb it is preferable to rename the son with the name of his father (this is a rare case). Also, there are few common names which can be used for both sexes, e.g. Sai, Kameng and Yarang. In this post I have tried my best to recall the names we use in Apatani. They are as follows :

Male names

1	APA	46	JILE	92	PUNU	138	TALING
2	APO	47	KACHO	93	PUSSANG	139	TALLEY
3	ATO	48	KAGO	94	RADHE	140	TALLO
4	BAARO	49	KAMENG	95	RAMBO	141	TALYANG
5	BAAKU	50	KANI	96	RANKA	142	TAM
6	BAATH	51	KANO	97	RAVIN	143	TAMA
7	BAKHANG	52	KARA	98	RAYO	144	TAMANG
8	BIDA	53	KECHI	99	RIBYA	145	TAMER
9	BUDDA	54	KHODA	100	RICHO	146	TAMING
10	BUKER	55	KHOKHUNG	101	RIKA	147	TAMO
11	BUTANG	56	KOJI (KOJEE)	102	RIKU	148	TANGU
12	BYAI	57	KOJING	103	RISSANG	149	TANHA
13	CHADA	58	KOYANG	104	RONYA	150	TANI
14	CHALO	59	LAAI	105	RUJA	151	TANYANG
15	CHAMA	60	LALI	106	SAI	152	TANYO
16	CHATUNG	61	LALING	107	SALA	153	TANYUNG
17	CHILYANG	62	LALYANG	108	SALU	154	TAPA
18	CHOBING	63	LAMPUNG	109	SAMA	155	TAPING
19	DELYANG	64	LASA	110	SAMBYO	156	TAPU
20	DEMPYO	65	LAJI (LAZHEE)	111	SIIRA	157	TARA
21	DIIBO	66	LENTO	112	SHAH	158	TARE
22	DODUNG	67	LODER	113	TAAMU	159	TARANG
23	DOLANG	68	LOMA	114	TABING	160	TARI
24	DOLLEY	69	MAILYANG	115	TABYO	161	TARO
25	DOLO	70	MAJI	116	TACHA	162	TAARUN
26	DOLYANG	71	MALI	117	TACHANG	163	TASSANG
27	DONYI	72	MILLO	118	TACHO	164	TASSER
28	DUKHUNG	73	MIMA	119	TADA	165	TATH
29	DURI	74	MOBING	120	TADEY	166	TATU
30	DUYU	75	MODA	121	TADII	167	TATUNG
31	EKHA	76	MUDO	122	TADO	168	TAYO
32	GAMBO	77	NAKU	123	TADUH	169	TAYU
33	GRAYU	78	NAPA	124	TAGIA	170	TAYUNG
34	GYATI	79	NEHA	125	TAGIO	171	TIINI
35	GYUTHE	80	NYIKANG	126	TAGLANG	172	TUPE
36	HAARE	81	NYIME	127	TAGO	173	UMA GURO
37	HABUNG	82	NYIPA	128	TAGUR	174	YAAPA
32	HACHANG	83	OBING	129	TAI	175	YADO
38	HADU	84	OMMO	130	TAJANG	176	YARANG
39	HAGIO	85	PADA	131	TAJO	177	YUBE
40	HAILYANG	86	PAI	132	TAKER
41	HALLEY	87	PALANG	133	TAKHA
42	HASSANG	88	PAYANG	134	TAKKE
43	HINDA	89	PIILO	135	TAKI
44	JARBO	90	PILYA	136	TAKU
45	JARJO	91	PUMBO	137	TAKUNG

Female names

1	AMER	32	MODII	64	RINYA	95	YALO
2	AMPI	33	MONYA	65	RINYO	96	YALU
3	AMUNG	34	MOPE	66	RIPA	97	YALUNG
4	ANKHA	35	MUMPA	67	SAI	98	YALYO
5	BUNE (BIINE)	36	MUNNE	68	SHANTII	99	YAM
6	BUNYI	37	MUNYA	69	SIRI	100	YAMA
7	CHAJANG	38	MURPING	70	SOKI	101	YAMANG
8	CHOKU	39	MURYANG	71	SOLI	102	YAMI
9	CHOZER	40	NAAPI	72	SUMPA	103	YAMII
10	DIMING	41	NAMPI	73	SUMPI	104	YANA
11	DISUNG	42	NYIMUNG	74	SUNKA	105	YAMING
12	DUMI	43	ODII	75	SUNKU	106	YAMUNG
13	JALYANG	44	OMANG	76	SUNYA	107	YANI
14	JAYO	45	ONYA	77	TAACHI	108	YANKA
15	KAKU	46	OPYUNG	78	TANE	109	YANKU
16	KAMENG	47	OTUNG	79	TAADO	110	YANYA
17	KAMPU	48	PABO	80	UNYII	111	YANYO
18	KANYA	49	PAMPI	81	YAAJE	112	YANYUN
19	KARI	50	PAMUNG	82	YAAMI	113	YAPA
20	KIIMER	51	PANE	83	YABII	114	YAPII
21	KOLYANG	52	PAPI	84	YABO	115	YAPYANG
22	KONYA	54	PAPU	85	YABYANG	116	YARANG
23	KUPU	55	PIIRA	86	YADI	117	YARI
24	MADO	56	PUBYANG	87	YADII	118	YARING
25	MAMUNG	57	PUMING	88	YAGUNG	119	YASE
26	MANDI	58	PUYANG	89	YAJA	120	YASSING
27	MANGKA	59	PUNYA	90	YAJI	121	YASSUNG
28	MANU	60	RALYI	91	YAKE	122	YATUNG
29	MAYU	61	REEMU	92	YAKANG	123	YAYING
30	MENII	62	RIJA	93	YAKHA
31	MIDU	63	RILUNG	94	YAKU

Tanii parents generally like to select "rhyming pairs" for naming their sons and daughters, e.g. Chada-Chama for two brothers and Rinyo-Rinya for two sisters. Pairs such as Kojing-Pussang or Dumi-Yami are also said to be "rhyming".
Addressing people by their names is considered as polite among us. But whenever we adress others, depending upon certain factors such as sex/age/relation etc., we also care to address them in a very gentle way. Thus there is a certain decorum for addressing people. For example if a person's name is Rinyo (i.e. female name), we can address her as Anyo, Nanyo, Kanyo.
Similarly for :
Rilung (female) => Alung, Ilung.
Yanku => Anku,Nanku
Tajo => Ajo
Tatu => Natu
Tai (male) => here we prefer to add prefixes such as Nama => Nama Tai.
Tallo => Lallo, Pallo.
Puming (female) can be sometimes addressed as Ampi
Pubyang (female) can be addressed as Otung

Note*** : Ajo, Ampi, Nama, Nanku and Otung can be used as separate names as well.

Note****Dear Tanii readers, please do not hesitate to point out the missing names from the lists. I might have missed some names and needed your contribution.

Apatani names
naming customs