Apatani facial tattoos
Facial tattoos and nose plugs of Apatani women in India
The Apatani people of Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh have a tradition of facial tattoos and nose plugs for their women. These marks began as protection from abduction by rival groups and later became signs of identity, though the government banned them in the early 1970s.
- A straight mark runs along the centre of the face from the brow area to the nose end with five marks on the chin.
- Large wooden nose plugs are placed in both sides of the nostrils.
- The marks are applied to girls around ten years old by older women using soot and pig fat.
- The government ended the practice in the early 1970s over social and work concerns.
- The marks began to reduce the chance of women being taken during raids by other groups.
What it is
Apatani facial tattoos show a straight mark along the centre of the face from the brow area to the nose end, with five marks across the chin. Women also place large wooden plugs into the nostrils on both sides. These are put on girls around ten years old by older women in the group. The tattoos use a mix of pig fat and soot from the fire. The plugs come from wood cleaned in the forest to limit infection risk.
History and origin
The Apatani group moved to the Ziro Valley from Mudo Suppung in what is now Tibeto-China and speak the Tani language. The marks started as a way to make women less likely targets during raids by other groups on their villages. The custom passed down over time as part of local ways. Officials ended the practice in the early 1970s because it caused social and work problems for women.
What it means
The marks showed a woman's place in the Apatani group and stood for honour and family standing. They began as a shield against outsiders but grew into a sign of pride and belonging within the community. Even with changes in beliefs over time, older women kept them as part of their shared past and identity.
Styling and care
The tattoos are done once at a young age and remain for life. Nose plugs are added after the wood is prepared. The full custom is no longer carried out on younger people following the official end to it.
Questions people ask about Apatani facial tattoos
What do Apatani facial tattoos look like?
They show a straight mark along the centre of the face from the brow area to the nose end along with five marks across the chin. These go with large wooden plugs placed in the nostrils on both sides.
Why did the Apatani start using face tattoos and nose plugs?
The marks began to make women less likely to be taken by men from other groups during raids on their villages. Over time they also came to show belonging and standing in the community.
When did the Apatani stop the tattoo and plug tradition?
Officials banned the face tattoos and nose plugs in the early 1970s. The change came because the marks led to social issues and made it harder for women to find work in cities.
How are the Apatani tattoos applied?
Older women in the group apply them to girls around ten years old. They use a mix of pig fat and soot from the fire to create the lines on the face.
Good reading and sources
There is no English Wikipedia article on Apatani facial tattoos yet, so the facts on this page come from the sources listed above: savaari.com/blog/apatani-tribe-people-ziro-valley/, insightsonindia.com/2025/09/08/the-apatanis-tribe/, ruralindiaonline.org/articles/the-apatani-at-ground-ziro. Some are the subject's own pages, so its claims about itself are reported as its claims. EveryFaceShape wrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares it with the sources to make sure no passage is copied.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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