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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 agriculture is 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 sale for
thanking the Gods for their
providence and for saying a
prayer a prayer for a bumper
crop. Throughout the year
festivals are celebrated by some
tribe or the other. Some of the
important festivals are Solung,
Mopin, Losar, Boori Boot, Dree,
Nechi Dau, Khan, Kshyat-Sowai,
Loku, Longte Yullo, Mol, 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 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
celebration of these festivals,
the religious rites and the
sacrifices are generally
performed by their priests
assisted by some select male
members.
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 to discard the old.
The dirt and the grit of the old
year is considered to symbolise
ill health. During the five days
of the festivities prayers are
offered for prosperity and good
health; the festivities include
the hoisting of religious flags
atop their homes; visits to he
homes of friends and relatives;
oly uddhist sriptures are read
in ervery home and butter lamps
are lit in houses and the
campuses.
Appeasement of the dieties who
conrol the peace and prosperity
of the people is the thought
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 speial
attraction.
The Wanhos celebrate their most
popular estival, Ojiyale during
March-April, for a period of six
to twelve days interspersed with
prayer, song and dance.
Villagers exchange bamboo tubes
of rice beeras a mark of
greeting and good will. Pig's
skin is offered to the village
chief as a mark of respect.
Another important festival is
Tamladu, essentially celebrated
by the Digaru Mishmis tribe.
During the festival, prayers are
offered to the God of Earth and
the God of Water for protection
against natural calamities. The
supreme- Lord Jebmalu, is
worshipped and welfare of human
beings, the standing crops and
domestic animals.
Another 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.
Sangken festival, is an occasion
to bathe the images of Lord
Buddha ceremoniously. Thsi also
heralds the new year and people
sprinkle water on each other as
a sign of merriment. One of the
groups celebrate Mopin for
wealth, prosperity, good health
and universal happiness.
Smearing of rice powder on each
others' faces marks the
beginning of the festival which
is celebrated for five days. The
Mol festival of the Tangsas is
also celebrated for three days
to welcome the new year.
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