Itanagar, Jul 5: The Apatani community celebrated Dree Festival 2026 with traditional fervour and cultural splendour across Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, with major celebrations held in Ziro Valley and Daporijo, reaffirming the community's commitment to preserving its rich heritage and agricultural traditions.
In Ziro Valley, thousands of people gathered at three major venues—Biri Dree Ground in Hapoli, Siilang Ditting Dree Ground in Hija, and Hong Dree Ground in Hong village—for prayers, cultural performances, indigenous sports and community feasts.
The Central Dree Festival Committee (CDFC) organised the main celebration at Biri Dree Ground, where traditional rituals, community prayers and the 59th Central Dree Football Tournament were held. Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra attended the programme as chief guests.
At Hija village, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperation and Transport Minister Ojing Tasing inaugurated the ninth edition of the Siilang Ditting Dree celebration. A major attraction was the debut of the Apatani Fashion Week, which blended traditional Apatani attire with contemporary designs. The Hija Officers and Welfare Society also felicitated meritorious Class X and XII students with Academic Excellence Awards.
At Hong village, Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak attended the local Dree celebrations as chief guest and joined the community in traditional festivities, including indigenous sports, cultural performances and the iconic Konchi Danyi folk songs.
The valley-wide celebrations were attended by public representatives, Panchayat leaders, community elders and thousands of residents and visitors.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge joined Dree Festival celebrations at the Dree Ground near Itanagar and extended greetings to the Apatani community.
He described Dree as one of Arunachal Pradesh's richest and most cherished cultural festivals, reflecting the Apatani community's rich heritage, unity and gratitude towards nature. MLA Nyabi Jini Dirchi also attended the celebration.
Meanwhile, Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul attended the Dree Festival celebrations at Hawai in Anjaw district along with Zilla Parishad Chairperson Chenumlu Mitti and other PRI leaders. She said the festival was a vibrant celebration of the State's rich cultural heritage, timeless traditions and the spirit of unity.
Extending her greetings to the Apatani community, Pul wished that Dree would bring peace, prosperity, happiness and a bountiful harvest to every household. She also conveyed her best wishes to all on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Apatani community in Daporijo, Upper Subansiri district, celebrated the festival at the TCS Secretariat under the leadership of the Dree Celebration Committee headed by chairman Duyu Lampong and secretary Pura Tagia.
Daporijo MLA Taniya Soki, who attended as the chief patron, praised the Apatani community for its discipline, progressive outlook and strong commitment to preserving its cultural identity. He said the community's ability to embrace development while safeguarding its traditions serves as an example for others.
Chief guest and Dumporijo MLA Rode Bui highlighted the Apatani community's contribution to the development of Arunachal Pradesh and encouraged the younger generation to uphold its values of hard work, dedication and cultural pride.
Upper Subansiri Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Yadav, the guest of honour, appreciated the community's harmonious way of life and urged continued efforts to preserve its unique traditions while promoting peace and communal harmony.
The celebrations featured vibrant traditional dances, folk songs and cultural performances, with participants reaffirming their commitment to preserving the Apatani community's cultural legacy and strengthening unity among the diverse communities of the state.