Festivals in Arunachal Pradesh

Festivals form an essential aspect of the socio-cultural life of the people of the state. As a matter of fact, festivals are the mirror of the people's culture. Since agricultureis the mainstay of the population, naturally the festivals celebrated by the people are closely connected with their occupation. Such festivals are celebrated at a larger scale for thanking the gods for their providence and for saying a prayer for a bumper crop. Throughout the year festivals are celebrated by one or the other tribe. Some of the important festivals are Solung, Mopin, Losar, Boori Boot, Dree, Nechi Dau, Khan, Kshyatsowai, Loku, Longte Yullo, Moi, Nyokum, Ojiale, Reh, Sanken, Si-Donyi and Tamladu.

Animal sacrifices are a common ritual in most of the festivals, particularly in the Non-Bodic tribes. The festivals have been firmly blended with the lifestyle of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. For some communities like the Mijis these are the occasions to bring all people together who might otherwise be scattered in far flung villages. This serves as a reminder of the richness of their cultural heritage.

The spring time festivals are celebrated during the period from January to April by the different groups. In the celebrations of these festivals, the religious rites and the sacrifices are generally performed by their priests assisted by some select male members.

The Losar Festival

The losar festival of the Monpas, which is their new year, is celebrated for five days. On the eve of the festival people clean out their homes to usher in the new year and discard the old. The dirt and grit of the old year is considered to symbolize ill health. During the five days of festivities prayers are offered for prosperity and good health, the festivities include the hoisting of religious flags atop their homes; visits to the homes of friends and relatives; holy Buddhist scriptures are read in every home and butter lamps are lit in houses and the campuses.

The Reh Festival

Appeasement of the deities who control the peace and prosperity of the people is through behind the six day celebrations of the Reh festival, essentially associated with the Idu Mishmis. The festival comes to an end with great fanfare and the priest dance performed during the six days is its special attraction.

The Ojiyale Festival

The wanchos celebrate their most popular festival, Ojiyale during March - April, for a period of six to 12 days interspersed with prayer, songs and dance. Villagers exchange bamboo tubes of rice beer as a mark of greeting and goodwill. Pigs' skin is offered to the village chief as a mark of respect.

The Tamladu Festival

Another important festival is Tamladu, essentially celebrated by the Digaru Mishis tribe. During the festival, prayers are offered to the god of the earth and the god of the waters for protection against natural calamities. The supreme - Lord Jebmalu, is worshipped for the prosperity and welfare of human being, the standing crops and domestic animals.

Khan Festival

Another festival is the Khan festival, an occasion for the reunion of the people. Besides the usual festivities, the significance of the festival lies in the ceremony whereby the priest ties a piece of wool around everybody's neck. The belief is that the enchanted thread will bring good luck to each of them.