"Take as many photos as you can. Next year, I might not be here anymore" - one of the Apatani women
I had the chance to visit and photograph the people residing in Ziro and villages surrounding it. The region is predominantly occupied by the Apatani tribe - famous for their innovative cultivation techniques.
The Apatani women are also famous for their visually striking look with nose plugs and face tattoos. The exact story behind the nose plugs is not very clear - one possible story relates to heightening the beauty of women thereby making them formidable for alliance, another story relates to disfiguring them so as to prevent capture from enemy tribes.
Nevertheless the practice has long been forbidden (since ~1962), so one would witness these mostly on older women - some as old as 97 years old!
It is quite remarkable that they still lead a quite active lifestyle helping and carrying out chores in whatever capacity that they could.
I hope the photos here capture the livelihood of these women whose unique experiences would not be seen for long.
Sunrise over Ziro Valley
Early morning fog over the valley
Corn and garlic hung onto bamboo poles affixed to the roof hatch
Every hut has a central fireplace which also functions as a place for people to gather and socialise
An Apatani woman sits in front of harvested rice
An Apatani woman sits in front of harvested rice
Some women manage small businesses like for example, a convenience store
