Biomimicry in Apatani Textile Designs: Faunal Inspirations from the Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

The traditional textiles of the Apatani tribe from Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, reflect a deep connection with the local environment. This study examines how elements of local wildlife - particularly species from the families Lepidoptera, Phasianidae, and Elapidae - have influenced textile patterns and motifs. Based on fieldwork in selected villages and interviews with weavers, elders, and priests, the study identifies several species, including Gallus gallus and Bungarus caeruleus, as likely sources of design inspiration. The limited range of colours available from locally sourced plant-based dyes also shaped the choice of faunal forms reproduced in textile work. Among the textiles studied, the Zillang Pulye and Zikhe Tarii show strong symbolic and visual associations with these species. This paper attempts to document such traditional knowledge, grounded in ecological familiarity and expressed through textile design. The study also suggests that similar investigations could be undertaken across other indigenous communities in Northeast India.