Quite a handful of Aka tribes dwell in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. They are mostly concentrated on the southeastern provinces of Arunachal`s Kameng district. As far as its name is concerned, the word Aka has an indigenous origin and it means `painted`, thus symbolizing their culture of applying paints on their face and that too vividly. This unique manner of painting becomes a trademark of this Aka tribal community.

The Akas have fair complexions, a well-built body, usually a flat nose conspicuous cheekbones with black hair and brownish to pale blue eyes. Men grow scanty hair on the face as well as over the body. Their stature varies from medium to tall.

Aka tribe speaks in a tongue quite different from the other tribes of the Arunchal Pradesh region. It is called Aka language. Aka tribes practice jhum cultivation and live in special houses built by them. This huge house has a raised platform, almost 6 feet above the ground. It has two rooms with a partition wall. The house also provides shelter for various animals like pigs and goats. The floor, the wall are made from bamboo while the roof and timber logs serve as the major pillars over which the whole house is raised. The roof is by and large `thatched`, widely supported by bamboo sheets. The four walls of the typical Aka house are generally raised high.

The culture of Aka tribe is enriched due to its treasures of folk art and crafts. Handiworks, `basket weaving` and wood sculpture are the major arts of the Aka tribe. . The most common Aka art is the beautiful drawings on wood that are mostly found in their house.

Aka artisans also has mastered the art of creating special floral designs which can be often found on many `haversacks` used by the people of that region. Local festivals also are feted in great enthusiasm, performed mainly under the guidance of a village `shaman`. Amongst them, Nechido festival is quite important usually held in November and continued for four days at a stretch.

Decking up with beautiful ornaments has become an integral part of the life of Aka tribal community. Silver jwellery is in vogue especially amongst the women folk. One can find an Aka woman wearing quite a number of silver ornaments including bead necklaces. Melu is a flat shaped ornament worn over the chest; rombin are the ear bulbs, gichlu are the earrings and gejjul are the wristlets. Often women belong to rich and affluent class wear expensive ornaments. They wear a fillet of silver chain-work, popularly known lenchhi.

A special jewellery called aescheri has been handed over to the people by their ancestors. The parents of bride mainly give it at the time of marriage. It is worn mostly by women. Sometimes men also wear this beautiful jewellery. Tattooing too is popular mainly amongst the women. Facial tattoos include an outline of a straight line running from below the fore head to the chin from where it again diverges into two directions. Tattos are not drawn on other parts of the human body. No other part of the body is tattooed.

Akas have the practice of keeping weapon for self-defense from the attacks of wild animals and also for hunting. The most significant weapon is the bow and arrow, popularly known as the Tkeri and Moo respectively. Another significant weapon is a type of rough harpoon, one end of which is pointed with sharp iron nails embedded on it.

Aka tribes not only have rich cultural heritage , they too have got excellent administrative acumen .For better administration , the Aka tribes elect a leader, who often plays the role of the head of the whole of the village. Their society is a patrilineal society and more obviously, polygamy is widely prevalent. The usual practice is to held marriages between the cousins. Just like any other tribes of Indian subcontinent, the Aka have a basic caste system. Amongst them, the most nobler is Kutsun and the most common is Kevatsum. The Aka are religious minded, chiefly following `Donyi-Polo religion`, who consider that their primitive ancestor was `Abo-Teni`.