VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

THE TYPES OF HOUSES IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

1. VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
OF
ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
SUBMITTED TO -
AR. JASPREET KAUR
SUBMITTED BY -
DAKPI PAKAM(20005)
LALRINNUNGI RALTE(20009)

2. INTRODUCTION
•Location: Northeastern part of India, bordered by Bhutan (west),
China (north and northeast), Myanmar (east), and Indian states
of Nagaland and Assam (southeast and south)
•Known as the "Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains" and the "Land of
the Rising Sun" as it is the easternmost state in India, with Dong
Valley being the first place in India to see the sunrise.
•Historically, Arunachal Pradesh emerged from the North-East
Frontier Agency (NEFA) and was declared a state on February 20,
1987
•Itanagar is the capital
•Comprises 28 districts.
•Home to 26 major tribes and 110 sub-tribes.
•Around 45-50 distinct local dialects are spoken.
•The Monpa tribe is one of the oldest in Arunachal Pradesh and
ruled over the region and parts of Tibet between 500 BC and 600
AD. Over time, the political power shifted to the kingdoms of
Bhutan and Tibet. Currently, the Nyishi people form the largest
ethnic group in the state.
•Despite the linguistic diversity with over 45 dialects, Hindi is
widely spoken and helps unite the various tribes in the state.

3. TOPOGRAPHY
Arunachal Pradesh, located in the northeastern part of
India, has a diverse and rugged topography. It is largely
mountainous, with the Eastern Himalayas running
through the state. The state's terrain is characterized by:
•Himalayan Ranges: The region includes several
prominent mountain ranges like the Patkai, Mishmi,
and Daphla Hills, with peaks often rising above 6,000
meters.
•River Valleys: Numerous rivers such as the
Brahmaputra's tributaries, like the Siang, Subansiri,
and Lohit, carve deep valleys across the state.
•Dense Forests: The lower elevations are covered
with dense tropical and subtropical forests, giving
way to alpine meadows at higher altitudes.
•Plains and Plateaus: Some lower areas consist of
plains and plateaus, particularly in the foothills and
valleys.
The state's topography contributes to its rich
biodiversity and varied climate, ranging from subtropical
in the lower regions to alpine in the higher altitudes.

4. CLIMATE
The climate of Arunachal Pradesh varies significantly due to its diverse topography and altitude. It can be categorized
into three broad climatic zones:
•Subtropical Climate (Foothills and Lower Valleys):
•Temperature: Mild winters and hot summers.
•Rainfall: Heavy monsoon rains (May to September), with some areas receiving up to 3,000 mm annually.
•Characteristics: Humid and warm, ideal for tropical and subtropical vegetation.
•Temperate Climate (Mid-Hills and Valleys):
•Temperature: Cooler with moderate summers and cold winters.
•Rainfall: Substantial rainfall during the monsoon season.
•Characteristics: This region supports temperate forests and has pleasant weather in summer, but winters can
be chilly.
•Alpine Climate (Higher Altitudes):
•Temperature: Cold throughout the year, with heavy snowfall in winter.
•Rainfall: Less rainfall than the lower regions but experiences snow in winter.
•Characteristics: Alpine meadows and sparse vegetation, with extreme cold in higher altitudes above 4,500
meters.
Arunachal Pradesh also experiences significant seasonal variation, with the monsoon playing a key role in the
state's climate, causing heavy rainfall and influencing the flora and fauna.

5. COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
•Tribal Society: Communities in Arunachal Pradesh largely follow a
tribal way of life, with a strong emphasis on clan-based systems
and traditional governance. Each tribe has its own language,
customs, and practices.
•Festivals: The state is known for its vibrant festivals, which are
often agricultural or religious in nature. Popular festivals include
Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrated by the Monpa tribe, Solung by
the Adis, and Dree by the Apatanis. These festivals often involve
community gatherings, traditional dances, music, and feasts.
•Religion: Indigenous faiths, including Donyi-Polo (worship of the
Sun and Moon) and Buddhism (practiced by the Monpa and
Sherdukpen tribes), play a significant role in the spiritual life of
many tribes. Christianity is also practiced by some communities.
•Traditional Art and Handicrafts: Arunachal Pradesh is famous for
its bamboo and cane crafts, textiles, handwoven clothing, and
traditional jewelry. Each tribe has its own distinctive style of
craftsmanship.
•Language: The state is linguistically diverse, with over 50
languages spoken, most of which belong to the Tibeto-Burman
family. Hindi and English are commonly used for communication
between tribes.

6. MATERIALS
•Bamboo:
Bamboo is a primary material used extensively for walls, floors, and roofs. Its availability, strength, and flexibility
make it ideal for both residential and community structures.
•Timber/Wood:
Timber from local forests is commonly used for the structural framework, including posts, beams, and
sometimes as wall cladding. Timber species like Sal and Pine are preferred for their durability.
•Stone:
In certain hilly areas, particularly at higher altitudes, stone is used for constructing foundations and walls. Stone
provides insulation in colder regions.
•Cane:
Cane, often used in combination with bamboo, is employed for binding and reinforcement, particularly in roofs
and walls. It provides flexibility and helps in lashing materials together.
•Thatch/Grass:
Roofs are often thatched with locally available grasses or palm leaves, providing insulation and protection from
the heavy rains during the monsoon season.
•Mud and Earth:
Mud plastering is sometimes used for walls to add insulation and stability. Earth is also used for floors in some
traditional homes.
•Palm Leaves:
In some regions, especially in lower altitudes, palm leaves are used for roofing, especially in traditional homes,
adding to the local aesthetic.

7. TYPOLOGY
SUB TROPICAL CLIMATE
PADAM , KHAMTI,
TEMPERATE CLIMATE
GALO, ADI ,APATANI, NYISHI
ALPINE CLIMATE
MEMBA, MONPA
1.Small windows
2.Low stilt and no stilt for padam
3.Veranda in front and back
4.One entrance
5.Gentle sloping roof made with
toko(dried palm leaves)
6.Deep Overhanging roof
7.Materials used - Bamboo , toko
8.Religion - polo, Christian
1.No windows
2.High stilt
3.Veranda in four sides
4.Two entrance
5.Dutch gable roof- locally known
as (toko), tin in apatani
6.Material used - Bamboo , wood
, tin, toko
7.Donyi polo, christian
8.Medium overhanging roof
1.Windows
2.Low stilt or no stilt
3.Veranda only in front
4.One entrance
5.Sloped tin roof designed for easy
snowfall.
6.stone, tin, wood, C.G.I sheets
7.Religion - Buddhist

8. SUB TROPICAL CLIMATE
PADAM , KHAMTI,
TEMPERATE CLIMATE
GALO, ADI ,APATANI, NYISHI
ALPINE CLIMATE
MEMBA, MONPA

9. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
The architectural features are as follows:
•Sloping roof: designed to withstand heavy monsoon rainfall.
•Stilt: intended for the storage of logs and accommodation of animals.
•Balcony: designated for leisure activities.
•Bamboo walls without windows.
•Overhanging roof: provides increased privacy.
•Central core: designed for fireplace and cooking purposes.
•Sunken floor: allocated for balcony and washing area.
•Toilets positioned diagonally to the entrance.
•Construction without the use of nails.
•Stone is used in higher altitude regions for its insulation properties and
durability against cold weather