Established in the 1980s,[1] it showcases aspects of tribal life of the Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

These include clothing, headdress, weapons, handicraft, music instruments, jewellery and other artifacts of daily use and culture, besides archeological finds.

[3][4] The ground floor of the museum houses an extensive ethnographic collection, including traditional art, musical instruments, religious objects, and handicrafts, like wood carving and cane products, while the first floor has archaeological objects found in Ita Fort, Noksparbat and Malinithan in West Siang district.

[citation needed][5] Apart from its collection, the museum runs a workshop for traditional cane products at its Handicrafts Centre.

[6] In 2011, Tapi Mra, the first person from the state to scale Mount Everest, donated his entire expedition gear to the museum.