Award: Third Prize

Time: October 1, 2005
Place:Bengal, India

Apatani valley is situated in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India . The local tribal people, known as Apatanis, belong to the Tibetan-Mongoloid stock. Their language is Tibetan-Burman in origin and their families are patriarchal in nature. Most of the Apatanis are loyal followers of the Donyi-Polo (Moon-Sun) faith, who pray to an array of spirits and souls for blessing. Till recently, the Apatani women used to have tattoo marks on their face and pierce both side of their nose. But the practice is nowadays being discouraged and has been abolished to some extent. Their method of agriculture is very productive. Poultry, piggery and Mithuns (Bos frontalis) cattle rearing are their other means of livelihood. Women are very adept at weaving cane and bamboo basketry. UNESCO is considering a proposal to declare Apatani valley as a world heritage site.