Coexistence in the Anthropocene: Tigers and Humans of the Dibang Valley.

This article examines the complex coexistence between humans and tigers in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India, through an interdisciplinary lens grounded in Bruno Latour's actor-network (AN) theory. Focusing on the indigenous Mishmi people, it reveals a multifaceted relationship characterized by mutual influence, conflict, and kinship, including shamanic practices where shamans embody tiger spirits and mediate between species. Despite the absence of recent tiger attacks in the region, tensions arise from competing conservation efforts, political conflicts, and differing human interests, highlighting how intra-human dynamics affect human–tiger relations. The study emphasizes that coexistence involves both conflict and harmony, shaped by cultural beliefs, ecological factors, and social networks, and suggests that recognizing these complexities—especially the role of indigenous knowledge and spiritual connections—can inform more nuanced conservation and coexistence strategies.