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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.
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Yak
dance during
Buddha Mahotsava |
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Animal
sacrifice
during festival |
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.
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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.
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Festival
dance |
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Ani-Lhamu
dance (Losar festival) |
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.
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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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