Itanagar, Jan 6: The Tagin community of Arunachal Pradesh is celebrating the annual Si-Donyi festival with religious fervour at Mechuka, highlighting the festival’s role in strengthening unity and cultural harmony among the state’s diverse indigenous communities.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Tungge Loya, Deputy Commissioner of Shi Yomi district and President of GLBK, said that while Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes living in harmony, there is a growing need to further reinforce inter-community bonds for the overall progress of society.
He said community festivals like Si-Donyi—the largest cultural and religious celebration of the Tagin community—serve as important platforms for cultural exchange, assimilation and social cohesion.
Speaking as guest of honour, Nyato Dukam, Minister for Trade & Commerce and Information & Public Relations, said festivals are not merely occasions for song and dance, but vital expressions of a community’s cultural identity and belief systems. He lauded the organisers for their efforts to preserve and promote the Tagin community’s traditions.
The festival is rooted in the Tagin belief system, where Si represents the God of Seching (Earth) and Donyi, the Sun Goddess, symbolises the cosmos. Together, Si-Donyi are regarded as the omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient forces governing the fate and destiny of all living beings.
Si-Donyi is celebrated with prayers seeking the wellbeing of humanity and all life forms. The Si-Donyi Hilo, the highest ritual of the Tagins, is traditionally performed for universal welfare. While families and clans observe it during the winter season from December to March, the community-level celebration is held annually from January 4 to 9.
During the rituals, prayers are offered to avert natural calamities such as earthquakes, landslides, famine, epidemics and accidents, and to invoke peace, prosperity, fertility and social harmony. Priests chant invocations to ward off evil spirits and protect people, livestock and crops.
Earlier, Advocate Tachang Jibong delivered the welcome address, while Penjor Rai, Chairman of the Si-Donyi Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee, explained the mythology and cultural significance of the festival.
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