|Correspondent|
PASIGHAT, Feb 2: Joining the rest of the districts, the Adi Bori communities of Payum and Kaying circles in Siang district living here (Pasighat) and its vicinity celebrated Donggin festival with religious fervour and gaiety at Jarku village here today.
The celebration was attended by Rebecca Panyang Megu, Dy Chief Councillor of Pasighat Municipal Council as chief guest, Okeng Tayeng (Councillor of PMC) and Tagom Darang (Gaon Burah of Jarku).
The Donggin celebration marks the beginning of New Year in Bori community of the Adi tribe as the festival is celebrated in the months of January, February and March.
The Boris are mainly settled in Payum and Kaying circles and Donggin has been celebrated from generations together, informed Tabang Gaduk, Chief Adviser, Donggin Festival Celebration Committee, Pasighat. He further informed that Donggin is a festival of abundance and richness in which pigs and mithuns are sacrificed “as rituals to worship natural god and goddesses for peace & prosperity of humanity, to free from natural calamities, accidents, diseases and to prevent effects of evil spirit in the coming days especially during active farming seasons and for good crops”.
Gaduk also narrated the history and origin of the Donggin festival.
In their speeches, the Dy Chief Councillor and the Councillor urged the Adi Bori community to organize Donggin festival in a “more befitting” manner and advised them to maintain their festival and culture so that other communities could also join together as festivity brings oneness and brotherhood among one another.
DIPRO AALO adds: The Adi Bori community of West Siang district celebrated Donggin festival enthusiastically with traditional gaiety and religious fervour today at Gumin Kinn here.
Taja Bonung, the aspiring MLA candidate Rumgong Constituency graced the occasion as chief guest and A Hangong, president ABK Shi-Yomi district, in presence of many eminent personalities of the district.
The Donggin festival is celebrated for seven days. However, the second last day which falls on 2nd February is considered as the main attraction where the ritual chanting and Mithun sacrifice are done in an elevated log platform called SOKANG.
Speaking on the occasion, Taja Bonung urged the indigenous community to preserve and inculcate our rich cultural tradition to the young generation.
Ex-MLA Doi Ado also spoke on the importance of preserving our dialect, tradition and culture because of the non-existence of any written document.
Donggin Celebration Committee Aalo president Tabin Yangi enlightened the audience about the importance of the festival, and also read the Donggin mythology.
A distinguished personality, Jarjum Ete also spoke on the occasion.
The Donggin Festival Celebration Committee organized several games and sports activities. Boken Yanggi clinched the Best Player title 2024. The other attractions of the festival were the colony wise colourful cultural competition and lively performances by the Dune party.
Meanwhile, the Abi Bori community from Payum circle residing at Pangin and Boleng in Siang district celebrated its festival Donnggin with pomp and gaiety at Pangin.
Tashi Pangu from the Donggin Festival Celebration Committee Pangin-Boleng, while wishing the people on the occasion, prayed to Ane Donggin for the well being of living creatures and prosperity of all.
He also praised the well wishers of Pangin-Boleng for their support and expecting their continuous support in the coming days too, to make the event involving more grandeur in the next session.