Gallery of death: Sacrificed mithuns hung on wall in Arunachal Pradesh

From the archive record

The mithun is not a cow. The Mithun is a bovine species found in northeastern states such as Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram and also in parts of Myanmar, China, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The Mithun is sacred to the Nyishi, Apatani, Galo, Adi, Mishmi, Sherdukpen and other communities of Arunachal Pradesh. Mithuns are not only considered sacred but it's a must to sacrifice them during marriages, as it is the only medium of payment of bride price. Moreover, mithuns are considered sacred because a mithun sacrifice is compulsory in all ceremonial rituals. The tribals of Arunachal believe that such a sacrifice appeases the soul of the dead. A local man explains that the mithun is a symbol of “peace and communal harmony.” This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage ar