In Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, the Apatani tribe carries a unique and fading tradition. For generations, Apatani women wore vertical facial tattoos and large wooden nose plugs. This practice began to protect them from being kidnapped by rival tribes, who considered Apatani women especially beautiful.

The tattoos were made using soot and animal fat, while the wooden plugs enlarged their nostrils.

Today, this custom is nearly extinct. Since the 1970s, outside influences like Christian missionaries and modern beauty standards have discouraged the younger generation from continuing these traditions. Now, only about twenty elderly women in the Apatani villages still wear these marks.

Beyond appearance, the Apatani people also practice ancient shamanistic rituals, using monkey skulls and egg divination to connect with nature and their ancestors.

As modern life rapidly changes Ziro Valley, these traditions serve as a powerful reminder of the tribe’s rich cultural history.