
Themes
tribal clothing and textiles
Adi Tribe’s Attire, arunachal pradesh

The Adis are one of the most populous tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, occupying mostly the temperate and subtropical regions of the state. The tribe has a rich cultural tradition very much in tune with nature, which, in turn, impacts all of their social behaviors and customs and rituals. The tribe thrives on subsistence farming, along with traditional handcrafting, folklore singing, and diverse festivals, all of which contribute to this multi-ethnic repository of Arunachal Pradesh.

Dressing for the Adi people carries with it very significant cultural values as it expresses the traditions and values of the people. Colors and patterns on Adi clothing have a deep symbolism, often representing a respect for nature and orderly lifestyle. Such designs convey the identity and ancestry of the tribe while emphasizing their unity and respect for the land. Wearing traditional attire would thus be a way to celebrate one's cultural heritage and strengthen the bonds across generations within the Adi community.

The traditional attire of men among the Adis consists of a lungi-like garment called galuk that is usually tied around waists. It is typically worn with a shirt or tunic. For expressing bravery and tribal pride, men wear traditional headgear made from deer or bearskin. This type of outfit fully exposes the warrior spirit and hunting heritage of the Adis while the animal's natural materials refer largely to the wildlife they respect. The clothing of the Adi man is not only functional but also represents masculine strength and cultural pride.

The traditional costume of the Adi women includes lavishly designed skirts, blouses, and shawls that exhibit distinct motifs and patterns which express the identity of the specific tribe. These garments are most commonly woven on the handlooms; hence each such piece serves both as a cultural artefact and a work of art. Colors of women's costumes are taken up with several different beads. This thus is not only that which expresses the culture but also heritage, where Adi women pay tribute to their ancestorship and become parts in such a noble cause of cultural continuity through traditional craft.

For production of fabrics, also goat hair, human hair, and tree bark cool are among the various natural materials naturally adopted in making. These materials reflect the Adi sustainable lifestyle and the importance of nature in their lives. Natural dyes made from trees, flowers, and seeds produce bright colors for the fabrics and add another symbolic value to the tribe's attire. The other value of these materials is the conservation of extra traditional textile skills. In other words, these materials show the Adi’s respect for nature, since they have sustainably harvested and used what nature provides them.