Arunachal: Peoples, Arts and Adornments in India’s Eastern Himalayas

The state of Arunachal Pradesh, moulded out of the mountainous margins of Assam, is incomparable to any other place in the world due to its ethnic variety and exuberant natural beauty. In many parts its as yet untouched rainforest shelters 110 different peoples or tribes and their mainly animist cultures influenced at the countrys fringes by Buddhism, both from Tibet and Burma. Unique customs such as living polygamously in longhouses, atypical forms of interaction between the individual and his clan, blood vengeance, animal sacrifice and even ritual forms of head hunting have survived here. Arunachal-Peoples, Arts and Adornment in Indias Eastern Himalayas is the result of 10 years of painstaking travel and research among all of this states many peoples. It covers geography, history and anthropology, through 370 brilliant photographs focused especially on the peoples unique arts and personal adornment.

Peter Van Ham

Peter van Ham is an educator and producer of musical and visual media in Frankfurt. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic and the Royal Geographical Societies, London, as well as of the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. Peter van Ham has written several books and articles on regions of the Himalayas and is active in curating exhibitions on the subjects of his research. This is his fifth book on North-East India.