Northeast India · State
Arunachal Pradesh
India's easternmost state rises from subtropical forest to high Himalaya, and is home to dozens of tribes with distinct languages, weaves and belief systems.
- Capital
- Itanagar
- Languages
- English (official); Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Monpa and many other languages — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Backstrap loom weaving with tribe-specific motifs (Apatani, Adi, Mishmi, Monpa)
- • Monpa handmade paper and thangka painting around Tawang
- • Cane and bamboo craft — hats, baskets and bridges
- • Masked cham dance in Buddhist monasteries of the west
Major festivals
- Losar — February–March (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Nyokum (Nyishi) — February
- Solung (Adi) — September
- Ziro Music Festival — September (dates vary — verify current dates)
Traditional dress & textiles
Dress varies by community, district, occasion and generation; everyday clothing today is often contemporary. These are representative traditions rather than a single state costume.
- • Handwoven wrap skirts, jackets and shawls differ by tribe, with motifs that identify community
- • Monpa communities wear woollen chubas and yak-hair hats suited to high altitude
- • Beadwork, cane belts and headgear are worn at community festivals by both men and women
Where to go
Show Arunachal Pradesh on the explore mapSources & verify
- Arunachal Pradesh Tourism (official)
- Know India — States & UTs (Government of India)
- Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles
Last reviewed: August 2026. Cultural traditions in India vary by community, district, occasion and generation. The notes below are representative examples reviewed against government sources, not exhaustive or official definitions. Festival timings follow lunar or locally announced calendars — verify current dates with the relevant state tourism department before travelling.