Along the way we were offered food on several different occasions - which we politely refused. This tribal area is inhabited by the direct descendents of the feared and hostile Mishmi and Abor warriors and is known for its superstitious "pre-Buddhist" Bön practices, including the dreaded and treacherous Dugmas - or poison witches. The Dalai Lama himself has issued warnings for people on pilgrimage in this area to not accept food from the local villagers. Evidently, the Dugmas believe that if they poison you - all your physical and mental attributes will flow from your body directly to them.