GI APPLICATION NO. 808
GI APPLICANT NAME : Zeet Zeero Producer Company Limited
Originating from one of the state’s tribes called the Apatani tribe, women weave this textile for occasions like weddings, rituals, and other cultural festivals, namely Dree and Myoko. The apatani fabric is primarily produced in Ziro, the district headquarters of the Lower Subansiri district, which is where the tribe takes residence. Known for following a sustainable social forestry system, the Apatani tribe ensures the same is done during weaving by using leaves and plant-based resources to naturally and traditionally dye yarn. They typically make shawls called ‘jig-jagro’ or ‘jilan’ and jackets called ‘supuntarii.’
Like most tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, there is an inherent lack of authenticated records regarding the Apatani tribe’s history. However, history has been recorded and remembered through the tribe’s oral traditions or representations, performances, and culture. These representations are complex and diverse in nature.
Mainly, there are two oral genres — miji and migung. In miji, priests chant while sacrificing animals like cows, chickens, and pigs, called a ritual performance. These performances explain past interactions with gods or spirits and highlight origin myths. Migung is a bit more historical and is narrated through prose. The stories describe the tribe’s origin, genealogy, migration, and urban legends connected to their occupation (weaving).