ITANAGAR, Sep 1:The Adi community today celebrated Solung – the tribe's most famous agro-based festival with traditional pomp and gaiety. 

Attending the celebration here Governor PB Acharya exhorted the younger generation of the community to preserve and protect their rich tradition and culture which, he said, is their identity. The Governor took part in ‘Taku Taabat’ ceremony at the festival altar initiating the festival celebration.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor urged upon the community to preserve their rich cultural heritage and traditions. He advised them to celebrate their festivals with tradition fervour and gaiety thereby ensuring the continuity of the inheritance.

The Governor called upon the younger generation to shoulder responsibility to carry forward the age-old heritage. He advised them to sustain the prime essence of their traditions but change some of the methods or systems to blend with time.

Appreciating the community, the Governor advised them to strengthen their essence through projects and not just events.

The Governor, who is the chairman of North East Zone Cultural Centre advised the Adi community to showcase the rich cultural heritage through NEZCC. He asked the cultural troupes to register themselves with NEZCC, which will facilitate them to perform in different parts of the State and abroad. The Governor also highlighted on Guru Shishya Parampara.

The Governor announced a contributory amount of Rs. One Lakh towards strengthening of the community on the condition that equal amount will be collected from the community members. This, he felt, will inculcate a sense of responsibility towards community welfare projects.

Sharing experience from his first visit to East Siang district, Acharya said he was mesmerised listening to the ponung (song) of the community. He also congratulated the community for coping with modernity without deviating from their tradition and culture. 

Stating that Solung festival of the Adi community showcased rich custom and faiths of the North East region, the governor further assured to extend all possible help in preservation and propagation of the rich cultural heritage of the community. 


Parmananda Cheyngiya, president of Mishing Bane Kebang, the powerful organization of the Mishings of neighbouring Assam, in his address emphasized on the need to showcase the rich culture of the North East in other parts of the world. 

Stating that the festival is an occasion to reconcile with others and promote a sense of unity and brotherhood, he suggested the compilation of a book on Tani clan so that people could understand the unique cultural heritage of the clan. 

"Most of the festivals in Arunachal Pradesh are agro-based. We must protect nature and should not disturb the ecosystem," he said while appealing institutions like Adi Bane Kebang (ABK) to shoulder responsibility in spreading awareness among the people on the importance of nature. 

ABK president Kangir Jamoh exhorted the people of the community to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm and appealed to the parents to impart knowledge to their wards on the importance of tribal identity and culture. 

"Festivals bind us together and bring unity, peace and cooperation. Without culture, we cannot form a society. Therefore we have to protect and preserve our rich cultural heritage," Jamoh added. 

Earlier, the Governor laid the foundation stone Adi Galo Heritage Centre at the Mopin Solung Ground, Itanagar. He also released the Solung souvenir ‘Digok Roli’.

Impressed by an extempore on cultural preservation by 9 year old Miss Kentiliya Pertin, the Governor felicitated her.

Ponung dance by Adi girls and women in traditional attire, community feast were the highlights of the celebration.

 

At ROING,

In his maiden visit here after assuming office, Chief Minister Pema Khandu today joined the Adi community to celebrate the Solung festival.  

The Chief Minister was accorded a warm reception at the town helipad by hundreds of people from all walks of life. 

He was later warmly received at the venue of Solung celebration at Adi Gidi Notko by Adi ponung and Tapu war dance party.  

The Chief Minister participated in the 'taku tabat' ritual performed for overall well-being of all living being. This was followed by inauguration of exhibition stall by the Chief Minister that had on display traditional items, handlooms etc.  

Extending his Solung greetings, the Chief Minister said Roing has a special place in his heart, as it was here that he had made his first public visit after he joined the government in 2011 as WRD Minister.  

Responding to a public memorandum submitted by Dambuk MLA Gum Tayeng, the Chief Minister assured to sanction a new building for Adi Gidi Notko in this financial year. He also assured to take up the public demand for a police station in Shantipur check-gate to be discussed in the next cabinet sitting. He said if the police department desires a police station, it will be sanctioned.  

Speaking on the potential that Roing offers, the Chief Minister said the people here are blessed as they are gifted with flat cultivable land and good connectivity unlike people in remote mountainous areas. He therefore appealed the people to plan their investment and business accordingly so that they can reap the fruits of their hard work.  

On recent cabinet decision to create a department of indigenous faith and cultural affairs (DIFCA), the Chief Minister said the objective of the department is purely to preserve indigenous tribal beliefs and traditions, and is not against any religion. He said government will never work in favour or harm the interest of any religion. The DIFCA is for all tribal faiths and is to protect indigenous beliefs. He said the government will never take such step which will undermine the secular character of the state. He further said department of art & culture has some limitations due to which it is not able to fully support the effort to preserve the local culture.   

Exhorting the people on importance of preservation of indigenous culture, the Chief Minister appealed the people to speak in their own local dialects. He particularly stressed on the importance of children to learn their local dialect and to have understanding of their local traditions and customs.  

"I have four kids but I never bother to send them away to abroad or in other states for their studies. I want them to grow in our local environment so that they can be acquainted with their culture and dialect first," said the Chief Minister. 

Speaking on state government's priority sector, the Chief Minister said education and rooting out corruption is it's topmost priority. He said the government is working to make merit count and has decided to form staff selection commission (SSC) for recruitment of group B and C staffs.  

In his appeal for fight against corruption, the CM appealed all the religious and community bodies to campaign for no involvement of money during elections. He appealed the people not to give or take money during elections. Election is the main root from where corruption begins as it decides on what types of leaders do we elect, said the Chief Minister.  

Art & Culture Minister Dr Mohesh Chai, who was the guest of honour for the occasion spoke on preservation of local dialect. State BJP president Tapir Gao, Longding MLA Gabriel Wangsu and Roing MLA Mutchu Mithi also spoke on the occasion.  

A colourful cultural dances were presented by Dozer Ane party, Tapu War dance party, Idu dance party and Buddhist Welfare Association of Roing.  

The Chief Minister released an Audio Album ‘Rela Manam’ on the occasion.

At PANGIN,

Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein called to keep alive the Oral Literature of the Tribal Community through research and documentation. He said this while addressing a large gathering of people at Solung Ground, Pangin in Siang District today.

           Today, we are facing fear of losing our own script, traditional chanting and healing system which needs to be preserved through proper research and documentation, he said and informed that for research and documentation on tribal healing system & chanting, the State Government has kept some fund and the task has been allotted to foreign scholars who are experts in documentation.           

Terming festivals provide a platform to unite society, he called upon the young generation to practice and participate in the preservation and promotion of traditions and culture.

Responding to a two-point memorandum submitted by the Siang District Welfare Committee, Mein assured to look into the requirement of additional fund for completion of Nugong Bridge.

Dikto Yekar, MLA Daporijo while attending the festival as guest of honour called to minimize excessive eating and drinking during festivals and advised the students to actively participate in festivals and at the same time to remain focus in their studies. He also called for preservation of own cultures & traditions.

Special Guest Yamra Taya, President Abo Tani Clan Organization informed that the ATCO has been formed to bring unity, peace, harmony and oneness among the Abotani Clan and said that the ATCO strives to maintain aged old traditions & customs and to preserve our rich culture.     

Former Minister Tapang Taloh, who is also the local legislator in his speech emphasized on preservation of culture & traditions. He called for behavioral change and character especially among the people of the Abotani Clan towards visitors and welcome and encourage tourists to visit the area.  

On the occasion, Tapang Jamoh President submitted a two points memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister for establishment of Mini-Secretariat at Nyobo (Perang Lampang) and allotment of additional fund for completion of Nugong Bridge at an early date.

Among others, Special Guests Taba Taku, Chief Advisor to Abo Tani Clan Organization and Hanggung Yaying, Public Leader, HoDs, Public Leaders and GBs   were present on the occasion.

Later, the Deputy Chief Minister along with the dignitaries visited the proposed Mini-Secretariat Site at Nyobo (Perang Lampang), near Pangin in Siang District.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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