ITANAGAR, Sep 30: Home, PHE and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mama Natung has emphasised the need to preserve Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous faith, traditional knowledge and priesthood for safeguarding the state’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
He was addressing the 21st Foundation Day celebration of the All Arunachal Pradesh Priest Welfare Association (AAPPWA) at Daporijo in Upper Subansiri district on Wednesday.
Natung, accompanied by Daporijo MLA Taniya Soki, Secretary, Department of Indigenous Affairs Pige Ligu, Director, DIA Likha Suraj and other dignitaries, inaugurated the Doring Riokdum Lingny, a home for traditional spiritual rituals, at the IFCSAP Ground. He later attended the main celebration at Si-Donyi Hilo Jaaring, where traditional prayers were offered.
The minister said indigenous faith forms an integral part of the identity and cultural heritage of the people and stressed the importance of strengthening the traditional priesthood. He particularly called upon the youth to learn and carry forward ancestral knowledge, rituals and practices.
Natung also announced enhancement of the honorarium for traditional priests, acknowledging their role in preserving the state’s indigenous spiritual traditions and passing them on to future generations.
President of the Tagin Culture Society Larji Rigia Dukam, AAPPWA president Tatung Tagar and other representatives and dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
The celebration brought together members of the traditional priesthood and community representatives to mark the association’s 21 years of service towards preserving indigenous spiritual and cultural practices.