India's first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru admonished a note, when he gave his opinion about India's tribal population.

"Not to treat them as anthropological specimens for study...not to interfere with their way of life but want to help them live it...

The Arunachali people are the state's greatest trump card, who may be referred to as "Pixie", known to enamour and entice the people visiting them. The state has a major population of 20 scheduled tribes and umpteen numbers of subtribes. These people elucidate a quintessence "Unity in Diversity", speaking host of tribal languages and over 60 different dialects. To mention a few principal languages -Monpa, Aka, Miji, Sherdukpen, Nishi, Apatani, Hill Miri, Tagin, Adi, Idu, Digaru, Khampti, Singpho, Tangsa, Nocte, Wancho etc. The tribal people have a strong community sense which goes beyond parochial tribalism and there can be seen a profound sense of sagacity. They live a very colorful and lively life, and are known for their warm hearts, and are always ready to greet even a stranger with lots of love and affection. A stable and efficacious administration has helped Arunachal Pradesh avoid the ethnic violence despite immense diversities.

There are about 66 tribes (though the 1971 census counted as many as 115) ranging from slash and burn animists, to the gentle and cultured Monpas of west Kameng, who came into confluence with Buddhism from Padmasambhava. Most of the tribes in Arunachal are followers of Buddhism. The "Thongi" tribe has reference to about 1000 years back with the powers in the valley. The patrons of Vaishnava scholars for 30 long generations are the "Hrusso." A paragon to the ancient Indian ideal of the honorable warriors can be visualized in the proud "Bagni-Nishi" and the "Tagin" tribes. The Nishi warriors can be seen in the capital city Itanagar, wearing their hornbill caps, carrying bearskin bags and their knives in money-skin scabbards. The largest groups are however the "Adi". Along are, the "Mishmis" in the ranges northeast of Pasighat, who are very keen to build up academic careers for themselves. The "Apatanis" groups are the people known to work wonders in the field of "Wet-Rice cultivation. The "Khampti" in the east are the Thai people who can be noticed in their extraordinary and prodigious ceremonial robes. The 'Nocte', "Wancho' and "Tangsa" are well known tribes known to live in peace and harmony and with a very progressive bent of mind.

The society of Arunachal Pradesh is patriarchal. Polygamy is a socially legalized practice, very common among the people. The regard and esteem for the older generation forms a sort of timeless culture and tradition, as the final verdict and the decision power rests upon the chief who governs the society. Like Mahatma Gandhi-the father of the Indian nation, who firmly believed and propagated a society which is unbiased, based on the principle of untouchability and treats all castes at parity, so is the society of the tribes in Arunachal. The people out here are highly democratic and each tribe has its own organized institution, which strictly follows its norms and principles, so as to withhold its identity. To prevent any chaos and lawlessness, all disputes are settled by the community themselves, which makes all efforts to ensure that tranquility and peace is maintained in the environment by all means.

The Arunachali people have a tremendous concern for the state's Buddhist history, which is still vibrant and alive to this day. One can see the age old tradition of memorizing verses pertaining to their historical and cultural past, which is passed down through generations. However, some Buddhist tribes also preserved written records. The tribal population of the state shows an exorbitant amount of love and respect towards their cultural and traditional heritage. They leave no stone unturned to ameliorate their treasure. The individual tribes also possess a very rich and splendid background and the government is also making all out efforts to keep their heritage intact.

Fairs and festivals form an integral and indigenous part of the life of the native people of Arunachal Pradesh. They seem to show fanaticism towards their religion. The main population of Arunachal Pradesh are the Buddhist tribes, known to believe and worship innumerable deities and spirits. The process of festival sees variety in religious rites. The priest performs prayers and sacrifices to ensure environmental peace. Festivals and fairs are a means for the tribal population to exult themselves and pray to the Almighty to bestow upon them good health, perpetual bliss, happiness and wealth. Their glorious heritage with enchanting folk songs, dances and exotic ways of prayers, express their friendly simplicity and modesty. Their fairs and festivals match their faith.

The list of festivals in Arunachal Pradesh is a very long one, as each season brings along a new festive season for the people. The "Losar" festival of the Monpas mark the onset of the new year for the tribes. The festival is celebrated for five consecutive days. They dance and offer prayers to welcome the New Year with lots of enthusiasm so that it brings along all that is good and eliminates the bad things from their life.

Another festival that is also celebrated for peace and prosperity is the "Reh" festival associated with the "Idu Mishis." This also lasts for six days.

During the month of March comes the most popular festival of Arunachal called "Ojiyale". This festival also stretches out for twelve long days and the tribals are once again busy with prayers, melodious songs and dances.

The Digarus Mishmis perform "Tamladu" festival of earth and water, which is indeed a prayer to the Almighty to protect them against any unseen natural calamities.

The "Khan" festival is however, an occasion to reunite everybody with their opposite counterparts. The "Sangken" festival devoted to Lord Buddha provides an occasion to bathe the images of Lord Buddha ceremoniously. This festival signifies New Year, and the people are seen to sprinkle water on one another as a sign of merriment. "Mopin" is also another festival, which is celebrated for wealth, prosperity, health and universal happiness. During this festival, people smear rice powder, which is a local ritual. The "Mol" festival however welcomes New Year for one and all.

Festivals therefore represent a meeting place for the tribals of Arunachal Pradesh to form a jamboree and perform variety of dance, songs, stage pantomime and masked dances. Their lives are incomplete without these offerings and the typical music and dance which imbibes the essence of tribal culture and tradition.

Arunachal Pradesh is also the proud host of the International Angling Festival. The angling festival held in this homeland of 27 distinct and culturally rich tribes, is one of its unique kind in the whole world.

On entering the state, the distance to the first angling spot is only two hours away. Anglers can also try their luck at Kameng, which is at a distance of 20km. The international anglers are treated to both Indian as well as Continental cuisines along with a few local specialities too. The show however is organized only for entertainment purpose and on a catch and release basis i.e., one cannot cook his catch for lunch.

But the state will fill your day with all kinds of programs and you will simply enjoy your stay in such an unknown and unfamiliar state. You will get the opportunity to get acquainted with the rich cultural heritage, which was once not open and exposed to outside influences.

Arunachal Pradesh bears a testimony to an extravagant history of art and craft. The tribal people exhibit finesse in this field.

Weaving is the universal craft in this region as in other parts of northeast India, with beautiful and highly colored fabrics being made largely by women. The handicrafts of the state include a wide variety in weaving, painting, pottery, basketry and wood carving. The tribals make exquisite carpets, paintings on wooden vessels and silver articles. The Buddhist community design carpets with exotic designs. Other items are horn, brass and semi precious stones.

Arunachal Pradesh's unique color combination has no match, with its original black and scarlet, yellow with green and brown. The use of permanent natural dyes by the people makes their crafts even more popular. The original designs with lasting hues and rare combination of floral, geometrical and also simple plain, give effect to unique and aesthetic fabrics. The products include Sherdukpean shawls, Apatam jackets and scarves, Adi skirts, jackets and bags, Mishmi Shawls, blouses, jackets etc.

A wide ranging requirement on domestic items is made with many materials including variety of ornaments and jewelry.

People of Arunachal also work on cane and bamboo, though to a lesser extent. The Monpas and Khamptis practice the art of woodcarving. They produce many kaleidoscopic toys and figures denoting great imagination in this elephant bound state. They also make variety of utensils with rare hue combination. Other craftsmanship include multicolored beads, paper making, snuthy work, carpentry, pottery and ivory work which are all a source of feast to the tourists, who are allured by these masterpieces of Arunachal Pradesh. They are also a prolific source of income for the state.