Ziro Valley!

Exploring the picturesque valley during Dree season

‘Ziro valley’ is located in the heart of Lower Subansiri District in Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh can be most succinctly described as an ‘undiscovered paradise’, it is a place of unparalleled beauty and extraordinary experiences. Aptly described as ‘Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains’, it is the home to many tribes with distinct cultures.

The Apatanis, one of the most prominent ethnic groups from Arunachal Pradesh, live in the Ziro valley. They are known for their practice of Donyi-Polo, vibrant culture and festivals along with their rice-fish cultivation.

Another peculiarity of the tribe is the facial features of its older women, known to possess extraordinary beauty, women of the tribe were the object of many forays by rival tribes into the region. Leading to the practice of placing Yaping-Hurlo(nose plugs) into the side of their noses. The younger women in the community have abandoned this practice.

Dree is an agricultural community festival that is celebrated by the whole Apatani community on 5th July every year. The festival is a celebration of nature and it was this celebration that we witnessed in the Ziro Valley.

How to Get there?

The most convenient way to reach Ziro is to travel by train to Naharlagun railway station. There is a regular intercity train from Guwahati to Naharlagun. From Naharlagun there are taxis(Tata Sumos) on rent that carry passengers to Ziro. We were lucky to get one as soon as we got off.

The road from Naharlagun passes through an excitingly treacherous mountain path amid towering vegetation during the rainy season.

There is early morning fog that robs one of his perception of depth, it was raining when we visited, the roads were covered with mud and there was a small landslide. But the taxi drivers are adept at driving in these roads and the destination is certainly worth the journey.

The Place:

We reached Hapoli and to our amazement discovered that there were no functioning ATMs in the city, the ATMs are loaded once a week when everyone withdraws money leading to long waiting lines. We borrowed money from a hotel owner, sealing the pact with a verbal agreement.

The town center was bustling with cars parked on the narrow main road and of some Bamboo houses were interspersed between the wooden ones. We did not have a prior booking. Which is not a problem in the off season as we easily got reservations in Hotel Pine Lodge, which has a sweeping view of the whole Hapoli township.NgunuZiro, an NGO, offers homestays with the local people.

The Dree Festival:

Everyday lives of the Apatanis are governed by the agricultural cycles. The Dree festival is a celebration of these cycles. Every year the Apatani people from surrounding areas gather at Ziro on the 5th of July and partake in celebrations that involve traditional songs and dances, 'Mithun’ sacrifice and a festive market selling local delicacies.

The women of the tribe brew wine and present it to their relatives as a symbol of love. Dree Taku (cucumber) and Dree ‘O’ (rice beer) is served to everybody present and the mythological roots of their culture are revisited.

Ziro is filled with spots that call for exploring stronger than sirens. Be it trekking in Dolo Mando or Midey, a 25 feet long and 22 feet wide natural Shivling at Kardo Forest, the Tarin Fish farm or the Pine Groves around any village each place is a treat for the eyes. Places like Ziro Puto are the perfect place to read a book while drinking rice beer.

So, grab your backpacks and start exploring the unexplored. Arunachal Pradesh, and especially the Ziro Valley will guarantee you an experience of peace, tranquility and pristine beauty.