Echoes of the Past: The Cultural and Ecological Role of Traditional Hunting and Practices of the Galos of Arunachal Pradesh

Ritter Basar

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.61344

Echoes of the Past: The Cultural and Ecological Role of Traditional Hunting and Practices of the Galos of Arunachal Pradesh

Author(s)	Dr. Ritter Basar
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract This paper discusses on the long persisting traditional hunting practices with special reference to the various traditional knowledge, beliefs and social status embedded at various stages of hunting and trapping methods among the Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Primarily an agricultural tribe engaged themselves in shifting or terrace cultivation. The indigenous people mostly have a cultural preference for wild meat, which has always been an integral part in their lives, most of the tribal communities continued hunting and gathering ways of life, although their numbers have continually declined, partly from the pressure from growing agricultural and pastoral communities. However, most of the tribe here still continues to have their own traditional methods of hunting, with women roughly as influential and powerful as men. Galo people did not followed a fixed hunting schedule but hunted when convenient or leisure time or during a cultural or ritualistic reasons. Hunting and trapping methods included traditional bows, arrows and spears, people also used poisoned arrows which has been a traditional practice since time immemorial. Blow guns were another methods which were also used. The indigenous methods also included stone fall, trigger and release, canopy, spring pole etc. Hunting has been a traditional practice of the people since time immemorial. The simple nature of hunting with limited technological equipment hints us to postulate parallels for hunting strategies for early people. The hunted animals and birds have been rich sources of protein and the wild meats formed a significant portion of their intake. However, certain taboos have also been associated. These taboos often served as spiritual balance between humans and nature. Certain rituals have also been associated particularly to avoid certain foods or abstain from social or personal interactions or intimacy before a hunt to show respect for the spirits of the forest and the creatures they intend to hunt. These practices symbolizes purification, humility, and acknowledgment of the sanctity of life. By following these taboos, the tribe ensured that hunting was carried out responsibly for survival and cultural continuity. These taboos has been practiced and maintained through folklores, myths, cultural beliefs etc. The sacred grooves and even individual trees or animals were preserved as a part of the tribes traditional beliefs. The people believed that certain deities resided in these forests, contributing to forest protection. It has also been observed that the hunters also had certain dreams before hunting. Dreams related symbols and signs determined the day of the hunters. Thus, the paper is a study which provides traditional information on hunting practices of the Galo tribe and also highlights the cultural use of wildlife by the people.
Keywords	Arunachal Pradesh, Galos, Hunters, Knowledge, Fishing, Beliefs, Dreams, Traditional Hunting Tools and Techniques, Social Status.
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-29
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.61344
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbdrh4

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Echoes of the Past: The Cultural and Ecological Role of Traditional Hunting and Practices of the Galos of Arunachal Pradesh

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