The Monpa, a prominent tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the Tawang Monpas with roots in Changrelung, have a unique history of migration. Revered as the only nomadic tribe in Northeast India, their livelihood is intricately linked to animals such as sheep, cows, yaks, goats, and horses. With a rich heritage in arts and crafts, the Monpa artisans showcase their skills in weaving, bamboo crafts, paintings, paper-making, incense production, and pottery. Their contributions are highly valued in the socio-cultural fabric of Monpa society.
Among their artistic expressions, mask making is a significant tradition influenced by Tibetan culture. Originating from the totem worship of primitive Bonism, Tibetans introduced the practice of wearing animal masks. Monpa masks consist of both religious and folk purposes. The religious masks are three dimensional and are regarded as sculptures. They believe that these masks symbolize the deities as well as the spirits. The religious masks are used in annual religious festivals, but sometimes they are also displayed in the monasteries as a protective deity. On the other hand, folk art masks are used in various performances and storytelling activities, emphasizing entertainment over strict design conventions.
Animal Head Mask from Monpa, Arunachal Pradesh
Monpa mask-making is rooted in a deep respect for natural resources. Traditionally, artisans carve masks from light yet durable woods such as puma or zokhu, sourced sustainably from local forests. After carving, the masks are coated with a natural mixture of clay and gesso to smooth the surface, followed by the application of mineral and plant-based pigments. Artisans often use yak hair, fabric scraps, brocade and leather to enhance facial features like eyebrows, beards and headdresses. The process is meditative and guided by ritual, as mask-making is considered an offering to protective forces. Some masks are consecrated by monks before use, reinforcing their sacred status within the community. This meticulous craftsmanship is passed down through family lines or monastic apprenticeships, ensuring continuity of the tradition.
Exquisite Art and Craft
The colours used in masks are not random, but have symbolic meanings to them as well. For example, yellow symbolizes knowledge, red is used to represent bravery, green represents virtue, purple represents jealousy, blue represents fearlessness, and black and white represent agreement or disagreement, as well as ferocity and peace respectively.
Mask Making in Tawang
The masks can be further categorized into three types based on subject matter: demon masks portraying figures like nine-headed demons, mountain gods, sea gods, and dragons; animal masks representing creatures such as yaks, horses, rabbits, snakes, and lions; and human figure masks depicting witches, spell chanters, hermits, and other characters from folklore. The diversity in Monpa mask-making reflects the rich cultural tapestry of this tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.
Monpa Old Man Buddhist Cham Mask
The most significant stage for Monpa masks is the Cham dance, ritual masked dances performed in Buddhist monasteries such as Tawang and Urgelling. These dances serve both as spiritual cleansing rituals and as dramatic retellings of Buddhist cosmology. Monpa monks, adorned in intricately carved masks and layered silk costumes, enact stories of the triumph of good over evil, the subjugation of demons, and the blessings of guardian deities. The rhythmic beats of cymbals, long horns, and barrel drums create a trance-like atmosphere, inviting the audience into a sacred narrative space. Masked folk performances outside monastic settings often portray trickster figures, animals, or ancestral spirits, blending humour, moral lessons, and local history.
Dur Dag Skeleton mask
In recent years, Monpa mask-making has experienced a revival as cultural organisations and monasteries collaborate to preserve this fragile heritage. Younger artisans are returning to traditional techniques while also experimenting with new themes for exhibitions, museums and tourism. The government of Arunachal Pradesh and institutions like the Tawang Monastery have introduced workshops and documentation projects to record carving techniques and oral histories. Despite the pressures of modernisation, the masks remain powerful symbols of identity, spirituality, and artistic continuity for the Monpa people. Their enduring presence, whether on stage, in monasteries or in homes, reflects a community deeply connected to its ancestral roots.
