Itanagar, Jan 10: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Sarok Festival of the Aka (Hrusso) community at Bana in Bichom district, marking 50 years of the festival as a symbol of cultural heritage and continuity.
Taking to his social media handle X soon after attending the event, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of pride to celebrate five decades of the Sarok Festival, which represents the living traditions and rich identity of the Aka community. He observed that indigenous faith systems across Arunachal Pradesh share a common spirit of respect for nature, ancestors, and moral balance. “Names and rituals may differ, but the core beliefs remain deeply connected,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation, Shri Khandu stated that safeguarding indigenous faith traditions means protecting identity, passing values to future generations, and recognizing these traditions as complete and living belief systems. He described the Golden Jubilee celebration as a reminder of the State’s commitment to protecting its diverse cultural heritage.
The Chief Minister also said that he chose to begin his first tour of 2026 with the Sarok Festival celebrations, reflecting the importance his government attaches to indigenous culture and community traditions.
Minister for Home, PHE and Indigenous Affairs, Shri Mama Natung, and MLA Dr. Mohesh Chai accompanied the Chief Minister during the event. Several public representatives, community leaders, and a large number of local residents attended the celebrations. The festival featured traditional rituals, cultural performances, and community participation, reaffirming the Aka community’s deep-rooted faith, heritage, and harmonious relationship with nature.
Guv extends Sarok greetings
Meanwhile, Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik extended his warm greetings to the people of the State, especially to the Hrusso (Aka) community, on the auspicious occasion of the Sarok Festival.
In his message, the Governor said that festivals and traditional ceremonies are the soul of human culture, reflecting collective wisdom, values, and ways of life preserved by indigenous communities since time immemorial. He noted that such celebrations bring people together across generations, strengthening unity, mutual respect, and social harmony.
Describing Sarok as a vibrant expression of the Hrusso tribe’s rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted in tradition, faith, and harmony with nature, the Governor expressed hope that the celebration would invoke the blessings of the revered deities for the well-being, peace, and prosperity of the community and society at large. He wished that the Sarok Festival would usher in happiness, harmony, and renewed hope for all, and continue to strengthen the rich cultural fabric of the State.