Si-Donyi Hilo 2026 celebrated with grandeur as Arunachal Home Minister calls for preservation of cultural roots

Reaffirming the importance of safeguarding indigenous heritage, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung on January 6 asserted that culture and traditions are the pride of the people and must never be forgotten. He made the remarks while attending the Si-Donyi Hilo–2026 celebrations of the Tagin community, held with great enthusiasm at Lumro Village, Naharlagun.

Gracing the event as the Chief Guest, the Home Minister lauded the Tagin community for preserving their age-old customs and passing them on to younger generations. He emphasised that festivals like Si-Donyi not only strengthen cultural identity but also promote unity and harmony among indigenous communities.

The grand cultural programme was attended by Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) Commissioner Kego Jilen as the Guest of Honour, former Itanagar MLA Kipa Babu as Special Guest, Organising Chairman Tadam Haging Cherom, and Chief Advisor of Si-Donyi Hilo Paknga Bage, along with heads of departments, community leaders and other dignitaries.

This year’s celebration marked the Golden Jubilee of the Si-Donyi Festival, which was observed simultaneously at Si-Donyi Ground, Naharlagun, and Daporijo, the headquarters of Upper Subansiri district bordering China. The occasion witnessed massive participation from the Tagin community, showcasing their vibrant cultural legacy.

Colourful traditional attire, mega cultural dances, Ponung, local war dances, and cultural competitions added splendour to the festivities, reflecting the deep-rooted spiritual and cultural ethos of the Tagins. The festival was celebrated across Arunachal Pradesh with religious fervour and traditional gaiety.

Si-Donyi, the most significant festival of the Tagin tribe, involves the veneration of ‘Si’ (Earth) and ‘Donyi’ (Sun). The Earth is accorded the highest reverence and is considered the mother, symbolising life, fertility and sustenance. Due to the elaborate rituals and high expenditure involved, the festival is celebrated collectively, reinforcing community bonding.

The Tagins, one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and part of the larger Tani group, are primarily concentrated in Upper Subansiri district, with populations also residing in West Siang and Shi Yomi districts. Traditionally followers of Donyi-Polo, the community reflects a unique blend of spiritual practices shaped by historical interactions, including limited cultural influences of Tibetan Buddhism among certain sub-groups.

Preparations for Si-Donyi begin nearly a month in advance, with local youths playing a pivotal role in organising events, while elderly community members form the festival committee and guide priests in conducting the sacred rituals.

Festivals such as Si-Donyi, Bori Boot, Boori-Yullow and Mopin form the cultural backbone of Upper Subansiri district, collectively showcasing the region’s rich indigenous traditions and reinforcing the identity of Arunachal Pradesh’s tribal communities.