Dree celebrated amidst traditional gaiety

ROING, July 06: Speaking on the occasion of Dree festival celebration at Roing on July 5 as chief guest MP Mukut Mithi said ‘the rich culture and rituals of the Apatani community is the symbol of being the unique tribe which at the same time is eco-friendly in nature having the testimony of practicing sedentary type of agriculture unlike other tribe who practices Jhum cultivation”.

He appealed the younger generation to protect and preserve their rich cultural heritage in order to maintain the sanctity of ritual and culture heritage in days to come.

MLA Laeta Umbrey, the guest of the honour termed the Apatani community as special Tribe for their rich embroidery, costumes and unique practices of wet cultivation including pisiculture. The entire Zero Valley and its wet cultivation maintaining the ecology is the real identity of the Apatani tribe which is declared as a hot Bio-diversity of the world by the UNESCO.

Both the chief guest and guest of the honour assured to have common festival ground at the township for the interest of tribal communities serving in the district.

Chairman of the Dree Celebration Committee highlighted Dree Mythology,

Secretary of the Dree Celebration Committee Pumyo Yaje briefed on importance of Dree festival and appealed MP, MLA and district administration to allot a plot of land for the common festival ground for all tribes.

Besides, Apatani traditional cultural and games and sports, others tribes also presented their dances. It also felicitated the academic excellent students on the occasion.

Amongst other DC Y W Ringu, SP T Karga, Zilla Chairperson Chiliko Meto and PRI Members attended the festival. (Bisnu Rana)

At Bomdila: “I will also pray to Lord Buddha to shower a bumper harvest not only to Apatani community but also to entire Arunachal Pradesh,” said chief guest and Thrizino-Buragaon legislator Naresh Glow while inaugurating the 42nd Dree festival as chief guest at Bomdila yesterday.

While appreciating the Apatani people for their hard working nature, Glow equated the cool and humble character of the Apatani people with that of Monpas and asked them to maintain this spirit in the sands of time. As a token of love and appreciation, he also donated Rs 50,000/= to the Dree committee for ensuring a smooth and colourful celebration.

A special guest and a research scholar from Japan Ishi Motto while deeply impressed by the traditional and colourful celebration by the young and old said in chaste Hindi that the Arunachal people and Japanese resembled each other in every aspect. “I feel like I am an Apatani not Japanese being in front of all similar looking people”, she drove home the point.

Narrating the mythology of the festival, Dree committee chairman Dr. Hage Lasa said that the festival was an important and integral part of Apatani culture which was a platform not only to appease the Dree goddess for a bumper harvest but to bond the spirit of brotherhoodness amongst all tribesmen of the state. He also appealed the Apatani people of the state to maintain peace and camaraderie. Festival committee general secretary Er Millo Tade thanked the West Kameng district administration and all heads of department for actively cooperating with the committee in ensuring a smooth and successful celebration as usual this year also.

On the occasion, several traditional games and sports events, cultural items and a community feast was organized for the guests of all tribes and walks of life who had thronged the Kameng Club to witness the colourful celebration. (Gyati Kacho)

At Tezu: Dree celebration would eliminate epidemic and natural calamities and fetch bumper harvest said Deputy Commissioner, Kaling Tayeng at Tezu.

He was speaking as chief guest on the Dree festival celebration yesterday and appreciating the organizing committee.

Tayeng donated an amount of Rs. 20,000 to organizing committee and Rs. 15,000 to cultural troups.

Organizing committee secretary Kago Loma highlighted the Dree Mythology and its importance. Committee president Lod Sambyo thanked all for participating the festival.

Later, prizes were distributed to the winners of cultural, games and sports events.

At Doimukh: The Dree festival was jointly celebrated by Apatani, Nyishi, Adi and Tagin community at Banderdewa on July 5.

ZPM Tana Bado attended the festival as chief guest and ASM Tadar Tayum as guest of honour.

In the occasion, various tribes presented cultural programme which was followed by tree plantation. Both Bado and Tayum appreciated the way of celebration and cooperation of all tribes.