Apatani tattoos in a global context: A custom that preceded modern fashion by centuries – Arunachal Pradesh

Sanghamitra Baruah, Times Crest, 12 June 2010, June 12, 2010

Centuries before rockstars and celebrities, tattoos were used by tribal men and women across the world, whether it was the Maoris of New Zealand or the Apatanis of Arunachal Pradesh, to mark out identity and territory. […]

While body art is a fashion statement for Michi, his grandmother was forced to get her face tattooed when she was barely eight.
Centuries before it became an accessory for rock stars and celebrities, Arunachal Pradesh’s Apatani tribe – to which Michi belongs – was tattooing its womenfolk to make them unattractive to rival tribes in neighbouring districts, who might otherwise abduct their prettiest women.

Source: Tattoos — a tribal heritage | Society | Times CrestAddress : <http://www.timescrest.com/society/tattoos-a-tribal-heritage-2618>
Date Visited: Fri Jul 08 2011 11:45:05 GMT+0200 (CEST)

Hambreelmai’s Loom: A story retold by Mamang Dai >>
Indian tribal cultural heritage: museum collections, eBooks, maps & more

Anthropological Survey | Anthropology

Books on tribal culture and related resources

Community facilities

Crafts and visual arts | Homes and utensils Crafts and visual arts | Masks

Cultural heritage | Revival of traditions

Dress and ornaments | Fashion | Tattoo

eBook | Background guide for education

eBook | Free catalogue: Banam: One of the ancient musical instruments of the Santals – West Bengal

eBook | Free catalogue: Museum of Santal Culture (Bishnubati) – West Bengal

Games and leisure time | Martial arts

India’s 28 States and 8 Union Territories – From Andhra Pradesh to West Bengal

Museum collections – general

Museum collections – India

Music and dance | Musicology

Seasons and festivals

Tribal customs, homes and ornaments in South India: Videos and photographs by Vicky Lakshmanan

Worship and rituals

Tips for using interactive maps

Toggle to normal view (from reader view) should the interactive map not be displayed by your tablet, smartphone or pc browser

For details and hyperlinks click on the rectangular button (left on the map’s header)

Scroll and click on one of the markers for information of special interest

Explore India’s tribal cultural heritage with the help of another interactive map >>