Amit Soni Associate Professor, Department of Museology, Faculty of Tribal Studies, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Lal Pur, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
Oyni Tatak Research Scholar, Department of Museology, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Madhya Pradesh, India
Address for correspondence: Amit Soni, Associate Professor, Department of Museology, Faculty of Tribal Studies, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Lal Pur, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India E-mail: ethnomuseologist@gmail.com
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Oyni Tatak, Amit Soni. Ethnographic Museums in Arunachal Pradesh: Challenges and Prospects. Ind J Res Anthropol 2026; 12(1): 19-32.
Timeline
Received : May 04, 2026
Accepted : June 05, 2026
Published : June 30, 2026
Abstract
Arunachal Pradesh is situated in the easternmost part of India, and its rich cultural heritage is preserved, showcased and propagated through its museums, especially district ethnographic museums representing different tribes. This research paper attempts to highlight the challenges and prospects of ethnographic museums under the Museum Section of the Directorate of Research, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. A qualitative approach was used to write this research paper based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data includes personal observations, interviews, and secondary materials, including articles, govt. reports, museum annual reports, and newspaper reports. This study reveals that, despite the challenges museums face, there are numerous opportunities for the museum to enhance and preserve Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural heritage. The study also shows that the state has great potential to develop community-based museums as per the standards of the new museological perspective that benefits the people and the state.
References
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Oyni Tatak, Amit Soni. Ethnographic Museums in Arunachal Pradesh: Challenges and Prospects. Ind J Res Anthropol 2026; 12(1): 19-32.
This license
enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any
medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as
attribution is given to the creator.
This license
enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any
medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as
attribution is given to the creator.