The exotic state of Arunachal Pradesh, blessed with tribal culture and truly colorful has tremendous traditional costumes. Every tribe in this north-eastern state has its special way of doing things, and therefore has a different identity. Here we explore about Arunachal Pradesh traditional dress for male and female.
Male Attire
Conventionally, Arunachal Pradesh traditional dress for men was simple and designed for utility. Common elements include:
- Kupaan: A light garment, made of pure cotton and having a part which is wrapped around the lower part of the torso, generally the area round the waist, and another part forming a sleeveless vest or jacket like piece.
- Shawls and Jackets: These are produced from warm materials such as wool or animal skin especially in the higher regions of the country.
- Headgear: Hats are significant in mens attire but differ in tribes. Some common types include:
- Bamboo hats: These hats decorated by feathers are warfare headgear of Nyishi tribe.
- Turbans: Some tribes wear turbans and these head wears are made of bright colored fabrics with fabulous prints.
- Skull caps: A number of tribes go about without any kind of head dressing but those who do wear one on their heads are simple skull caps that are occasioned with beads as decors or other related trinkets.
Female Attire
Men’s clothing is simpler in design and not as colourful as the women’s, the dress materials display better weaving and emboisering . Common elements include:
- Skirts: Women are usually dressed in long bell skirts or tunics of soft hand woven fabrics. Which can also be enriched by various bright patterns and detailed ornaments.
- Blouses: They are mostly knee length, loose fitting garments that are worn over the head and are short-sleeved or sleeveless and made from gay fabrics decorated with beads, shells or some other fancy work.
- Shawls and Scarves: Scarves and shawls are others pieces of garment that completely wrap around and cover the head and the shoulders particularly during winter season. These are usually produced using warm materials such as wool or cotton and may be elaborated weaved or adorned with embroideries.
- Jewelry: Different types of ornaments are worn by the women where necklaces, earrings, bangles besides anklet holders are a part of the dress code. These may be preferably made from beads, shells or metal, preferably silver or gold.
Tribal Variations
Preferably, the specific style of traditional dress differs dramatically between the several tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the major tribes and their distinctive clothing include:
- Nyishi: The Nyishi men dress rather minimally but the clothing is stylish plain wrapped kupaans and bamboo hats, on the other hand women wear brightly colored skirts and blouses.
- Adi: Just like Adi women is famous for the excellent weaving done for shawls and scarves. Adi men constitute a part of the tribes wearing relatively neutral clothing, consisting of dhotis and shirts.
- Galo: The Galo women wear beautiful skirts and blouses who also accessorize with silver ogone. As for the garment, Galo men wear dhotis and shirts or shawls.
- Apatani: Apatani females have distinguishing features such as scarification of the face and weeping varieties especially nose plugs. They wear beautiful skirts and blouses and decorate themselves with beads, and pieces of silver. The men of Apatani wear a small cloth called dhoti and shirt.
Arunachal Pradesh traditional dress is looking very elegant reflecting the tradition and culture of Arunachal Pradesh. This is a masterpiece, which is evidence for creativity and ingenuity of state’s artisans and a pride for the people of the state.
