In Arunachal Pradesh, the far eastern part of India, in the shadow of the Himalayas, near the borders of Tibet and Myanmar, live the Idu and Digaru Mishmi people. They live on near vertical slopes, in tropical vegetation through which flow a multitude of waterfalls. Their homes are perched high above blue-green rivers and are built entirely from the forests.

Spirits dwell everywhere, especially in high mountains and other sacred places. The presence of the Spirits gives the Mishmi a deep and special relationship with the rivers, mountains and forests. They believe the Spirits greatly influence their lives and require appeasement, from time to time, through a ritual sacrifice called a Puja, most often presided over by a Shaman. Their most prized animal, a sign of status, buffalo like, is called a Mithun.

These photographs, taken mostly in Mishmi homes around a central fire with a sole window providing outside light, are an effort to capture intimate contact with these warm, grand, almost stoic people. This quiet, stoic composure was often broken by laughter and huge smiles that involve the whole person. In the exchange around the fire moods would often change, thus with some people multiple photographs are presented. The great difficulties in traveling to Mishmi Land were rewarded by just being in the presence of the Mishmi people.