The picturesque valley of Mechuka in Shi Yomi district in Arunachal Pradesh resonated with traditional chants and cultural vibrance as the Tagin community celebrated the Si-Donyi festival on Tuesday. Organised by the Si-Donyi Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee, the event served as a powerful reminder of Arunachal Pradesh’s rich indigenous heritage and the need for inter-tribal unity.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Tungge Loya, President of GLBK and Deputy Commissioner of Shi Yomi, emphasised the importance of social cohesion. He noted that while Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes who have coexisted harmoniously for centuries, the modern era requires an even stronger bond of brotherhood.
“Festivals like Si-Donyi provide an ideal platform for the assimilation of all communities and facilitate vital cultural exchange. Today, there is a pressing need to further tighten the relationship bonds among all indigenous communities for the collective betterment of our society,” Loya stated.
Minister for Trade & Commerce and IPR, Nyato Dukam, lauded the organisers for their dedication to preserving the Tagin identity.
“Festivals are not merely about songs and dances, they are essential windows to showcase the profound culture and traditions of our communities,” Dukam remarked.
The festival, celebrated at a community level from January 4 to 9, holds deep spiritual significance for the Tagin people. Beyond the literal interpretation of the Earth (Si) and the Sun (Donyi), the deities are worshipped as the omnipotent authorities of the cosmos.
The Si-Donyi Hilo is considered the highest form of ritual (Hilo Kinam) for the universal well-being of mankind.The celebrations involve intricate rituals led by priests who propitiate the deities to ward off evil spirits, prevent natural calamities like landslides and epidemics, and bless the land with fertility and prosperity.
Earlier in the program, the mythology behind the tradition was explained by Penjor Rai, Chairman of the Celebration Committee, following a welcome address by Advocate Tachang Jibong. The event highlighted that for the Tagins, Si and Donyi are the ultimate guardians of destiny, ensuring the continuity of life and harmony on Earth.
