Arunachal Pradesh – Apatani tribe in the Ziro village

This series documents an extraordinary journey to Ziro village in Arunachal Pradesh, home to the Apatani tribe and their rich Animist traditions. After navigating complex entry permits, grueling flights, and arduous 10+ hour 4x4 rides, we arrived in this remote region to capture the Apatani way of life. Initially drawn by stories of women’s face tattoos, once a defense against kidnappings due to their famed beauty, we instead found ourselves immersed in a deeply spiritual family ritual honoring ancestors. Over two days, we witnessed intricate bamboo carvings, totem creation, a shaman’s arrival, chicken sacrifices, and a haunting ceremony at the forest’s edge. The experience was both fascinating and deeply unsettling, leaving us speechless for days. Processing these photographs took over a year as I grappled with the emotional weight of the memories. Yet, I yearn to return, better prepared and equipped, to more fully document this vibrant culture and its traditions.