Quite a number of tribal communities reside in the hilly regions of Arunachal Pardesh. Amongst them, Nocte easily draws the admiration of all the eminent anthropologists of Indian subcontinent. The term has got a literal meaning, which denotes village folk. That these Nocte tribes had close relation with the Naga tribal communities is a known fact. There are near about thirty three thousand Nocte tribes presently residing in the Patkai hills of Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh of India.

Nocte has an enriched culture as depicted in its plethora of festivals. Amongst various festivals that these Nocte tribes fete, Loku is the major one. Nocte signifies `chasing out of the old season` which continues for three days, Slaughtering of cattle, amusement and also food gathering are the rituals held on first day of the festival.

In the second day, popularized as Chamkatja, Nocte tribes worship the deities. Nocte tribes show respect to their leaders also. Feasting and dancing follow this and this frenzied mood continues for long. The last day is the day where both the aged and leader look for good fortune by breaking off eggs accumulated from the village.

Just like any other tribes of Indian subcontinent, Nocte tribes are farmers producing mainly crops like rice and maize. Each and every Nocte tribe have developed taste for rice, vegetables, fish. They do not eat beef and mutton. Local people made a special type of alcohol from rice, tapioca and millet and are widely popular among the Nocte tribes. Very recently, they have started consuming tea.

What is interesting is the way they dιcor their hair. The men folk shave their hair in the frontal area of the head, and the hair tussock at the back is tied into a roll of hair worn at the nape of the neck, known as `chignon` , The womenfolk will keep their long colored hair plaits that are knotted into a bun at the back of the neck. However , it is the customary of the Nocte widows must keep their hair short un less and until they remarry. Tattooing also is in fashion.

To bit the sultry heat of summer seasons, the men folk will wear a `loincloth` in front along with numerous cane belts, there by acting as `waistband`. Ivory bamboo slips and armlets are also worn on both legs and arms . The women have got unique sets of attires for themselves. In includes a short cotton skirt that stretches from waist to both the from the waist to knees, and also a blouse . Beautiful ornaments that these Nocte tribes wear are metal bangles and earrings. Also they have got collection of the goat horns acting as `ear lobes`.

The Nocte tribes made silted houses while those of their leaders are made up of carved huge blockings and wood towers. Separate dormitories are also built both for spinsters and bachelors. These dormitories are the hub of imparting various teachings on traditional mythology, folklore and religion by their elders to their children. In cases of Christian families, Christian teachings are also mixed with traditional teachings as well, which is evident among Catholic converts. The chiefs are addressed in either of the two titles: Namsang and Borduria.

Bachelors`s dormitory is called a "Poh", while the dormitory for a loner is called "Yanpo". What is really interesting is that though females can enter a bachelore`s dormitory, the entry of a boy to the girl`s dorm is prohibited. Dormitories are constructed using wooden piles, rising to a height of 4 feet from the ground. Human skulls are used as decorative items of the Poh dormitories. They are utilized to contain huge drums shaped out from various wood logs. Better known as thum, the drums are cut into designs from hornbills and tigers. According to the anthropologists , it was due to the influence of Western education these practices had started loosing its popularity. . Also the year 1991 onwards headhunting, which was so popular amongst Nocte tribes, also have been shunned . The Nocte tribes are very pious and oriented towards religion and spiritualism. They practice `Animism` and a sect of Buddhism . However quite a lot of Nocte tribes came under the influence of of Shri Shankardeva and took up Hinduism in the eighteen century. This trend also follows afterwards. The priest, better known as Mahantas supervise the charge of all the religious ceremonies of the Nocte tribes. There are several local deities whom they worship with reverence and appease them. `Jauban` is significant one. Ample food and water are used as offerings to them.

The virtues of Barghariya Satra is also widely revered. Few Baptists are also found amongst the Nocte tribal communities.

To administer the tribal community in a better way, Nocte leaders are being chosen. They at times of various social and religious functions, act in consultation of elderly villagers and also in accord to the priest`s consent.