By Pradeep Kumar
NIRJULI | Apr 16 | Terming Arunachal Pradesh as ‘Land of Festival’, former chief minister Nabam Tuki said that Longte festival symbolizes the uniqueness of this Himalayan state as a land of peace, joy, culture and hospitality unique in the world besides being an example of unity in diversity.
Addressing revelers of week-long Longte celebration here on Sunday as chief guest, he said that state animal mithun is like any cash crop which could be encashed in an emergency and exhorted the community to make efforts for its protection to boost tourism for the rest of the world to visit the state to see it. Though Nyishi Festival Council has decided to impose ban on mass slaughter of mithun in festivals, political, social and marriage functions apprehending its extinction, but his initiative to set up three mithun firms including at Sagalee & Ompuli would serve as a boon with more than 500 mithuns in each firm, he said.
Hinting a belated state development beginning with Rs 5 crore annual budget, he recalled that as chief minister he had convinced 14th Finance Commission to allocate Rs 54,000 crore against only Rs 13,000 sanctioned by the 13th FC. He exhorted the Centre to grant adequate funds toeing its federal cooperative principle for the state to tap its huge natural resources in national interest.
While highlighting Arunachal history from unadministered land to NEFA to statehood, APCC president Takam Sanjoy as guest of honour said that tribal communities cut off from the rest of the world for lack of communication led an isolated life in this sensitive border state. But things have been changing fast for development to make inroads into state’s far-flung areas, he said.
Expressing dismay as to why Nyishi’s Chera and Churum clans despite being brothers were celebrating two different festivals, he advocated single festival celebration by the Nyishis. Celebration of Nyokum (initiated by Tadar Tang), Longte (by Chera Talo) and Boori Boot, all weekly Nyishi festivals with same mythology amount to wastage of time and huge economic losses, he said, adding single festival would strengthen all Nyishi clans to carve a unique space in state’s cultural mosaic to thunderous applause of the gathering.
The Nyishis in their best traditional attires led by Tuki and Sanjoy earlier following strict rituals barricaded all evil spirits from the humanity, Arunachalees in particular, to live in peace with prosperity.
The duo along with many other local denizens installed long be on left side to protect the evil spirits from venturing into human inhabited areas and longraip aimed at facilitating bumper crops.
About 250 young damsels clad inn colourful dresses, beads and ornaments performed mega traditional dance leaving the gathering awe stuck and making the fear about threat to age-old rich culture of this tribal state a passé. Tiny-tots in traditional dresses too indicated that the next generations were imbibing traditions and culture. The inclement weather following drizzling over night failed to dampen their spirit. However, Sun god ultimately shinned brightly to bless its children on the earth.
Earlier, Central Longte Celebration Committee chairman Bengia Kabnang highlighted the mythology of the festival and its organizing committee chairman Bengia Hashi underscored its importance for the humanity while secretary Tadar Zaman said that this is unique being the only bloodless festival in the state celebrated without any sacrifice.
Besides Nyishi Festival Council secretary general Amit Bengia, senior officers, senior Congress leaders, former lawmaker were present among the huge gathering.
Twelve-member women Techi Longte Dene Dance group led by Golo Meenu stirred the conscience of the gathering by presenting a traditional dance showcasing the life style of the Nyishis who live in the lap of the nature. Choreographed by Gyamar Ammu, the song composed by Tagru Taha and Likha Yari was not only meaningful but melodious too.
Greeting Arunachal Pradesh people, particularly the Nyishi on auspicious Longte festival, Chief Minister Pema Khandu prayed for happiness of mankind and in his message wished the event to strength the bond of unity in diversity. (PRO)
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