The mountain peaks of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in north-eastern India have been inhabited since time immemorial by the Nishi people. The different tribes were perpetually at war with each other, with rare periods of peace. The men had a tradition: the winner would catch a great hornbill and hang its beak on his hat. The beak was the symbol of strength and courage, and the bird itself was the totem of the tribe. But 20 years ago everything changed. The chiefs of the tribes who used to wage war on each other understood that their totem bird was in danger of total extinction and united to protect them. Now from early spring to early autumn each great hornbill nest is protected. The former headhunters now call themselves "The Guardians of the Nests".
