Arunachal Pradesh: A Peek Into Rich And Diverse Cultural Festivals Of The Northeastern State

Arunachal Pradesh, also known as the country of the dawn-lit mountains, is known for its spectacular landscapes and extensive cultural history.

Arunachal Pradesh is well-known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural history. (Representational Image)

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The state of Arunachal Pradesh also referred to as the land of the dawn-lit mountains, is renowned for its stunning natural scenery and extensive cultural history. The state is home to nearly a hundred subtribes and 26 major tribes, each with its own distinctive customs, festivals, and traditions. In addition to showcasing the vibrant tribal cultures, these festivals and fairs draw visitors from across the nation.

Losar Festival: One of the most popular festivals celebrated by the Monpa tribe in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival heralds the start of the new year, and the entire district is illuminated. The festival is an excellent opportunity for tourists to sample local beverages and cuisine. The festival is held from March 3 to March 5, and tourists from all over the country flock to Tawang to participate.

Ziro Festival: This music festival is a four-day event held in Arunachal Pradesh's beautiful Ziro valley. The festival is all about music, enthusiasm, and having a good time. Independent music fans from all over the country attend the festival to hear new music performed by talented artists in various independent music genres such as jazz, indie, etc.

The festival began when Delhi band Menwhopause was promoting their band in the Northeast. Due to political unrest, the Itanagar concert was postponed, and they spent some time in the beautiful Ziro Valley. They discussed holding a small festival in Ziro Valley and inviting their favourite bands to perform.

Siang River Festival: The event promotes communal harmony and eco-tourism. During the festival, which is held every December, activities such as elephant races, traditional boat races, river rafting, hot air balloon rides, folk dances, cultural shows, and paragliding take place.

Tourists flock to the festival's exhibition of handloom and handicraft items, where they can purchase traditional crafts and weaves. 

Dree Festival: The Aptani tribe of the Ziro Valley celebrates the Dree Festival, an agricultural festival. The festival honours crop gods and goddesses such as Metii, Danyi Pilo, Tamu God, and Sky God, who are worshipped and prayed to for crop protection from natural and man-made disasters.

The festival also includes sports and games, as well as cultural events such as folk dances and songs. Women make beer out of rice and give it to their sons, brothers, sons-in-law, and so on as a token of affection, in exchange for a piece of roasted meat. To appease the gods, women sing a special song called Damingda.