Four Apatani Indo-Tibetan Bronze Bracelets

Cultural artefacts from the Apatani people are rare, largely because the numbers of Apatani have always been small. Today, their population numbers less than 50,000.

These four solid cast bronze and bell metal ‘C’-form bracelets show the range of bracelets preferred by Apatani women, Each bracelet is heavy, sold, and with striking, bold forms and motifs.

The Apatani people are an ethnic group that live in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri region in Himalayan India. They are one of the many ethnic groups of the eastern Himalayas, and have distinct agricultural practices based on rice cultivation and careful land use and management.

The Apatani have several major colourful festivals throughout the year linked to the crop sowing and harvest cycle. The women dress in bright textiles, large strands of colourful trade beads, and wear thick, heavy bracelets such as the examples here. Additionally, the women have facial tattoos and prominent nose plugs.

Each of the four bracelets here is in fine condition. They provide a good cross section of the types of heavy bracelets worn by the Apatani.