Cultures and Religions in context with Arunachal Pradesh

~By Liankhankhup Sektak

People of Arunachal Pradesh has been blindly once influenced with Hindu Culture, religion, dress, language and all Hindus' festival. Eventhough Christianity exist in the beginning of 19 CE, there was slow in progress untill 21st CE. First Hinduism was cultivated and now basically Christianity.

I have seen people of Arunachal Pradesh are in dilema at this juncture, whether to follow Hinduism or Christianism. Society has been in agony and devided due to religion. In fact, neither Hinduism nor Christianism was their religion, but Donyi- Poloism.

There has been a war of religion that the christian has to bear it a momentum. Everyone knew Freedom of Religion Act which was passed and adopted in 1987 was particularly targeting christianism in Arunachal Pradesh. Since then thousands of Hindus Mission and missionaries has been working within Arunachal Pradesh. Many schools like R.K Mission School, Kendria Vidhyala, K.G. Girls School and many others where they are force to worship and pray before Hindus god and goddess . A certain people told me even Tribes Certificate was ignored to issue if someone write Christianity as their religion. Christians are undermined and deny admission unless they write Hindu or Donyi Polo in such established schools. The Indian constitution Right to religious freedom and Right to Education has been violated. We must make it sure that we let Freedom to grow in our community. India is function by the people, from the people and for the people.

Suppose I am a Galo, if I believe and follow Hinduism; amnt I still a Galo? Definitely, whether you follow Hinduism , Islam, Buddhism or Christian, you are as you are! Do not look down nor harms other due to religions. Believing a Christianity is not loss of identity rather it will sharpen identity.

1. Religion:
In my opinion, everyone has a right and freedom to choose in their life. "Stone and Banyantree, you're my god", if your dad believes so; yes that is his god. If your mother said " Sun and Moon, you're my god", yes that is her god. You are not suppose to humiliate them, after all he and she is still your parent. Religion is a thing which we should never ever be attached with culture. Religion is belief and Culture is our Identity"

2. Culture.
Eventhough we say culture or tradition, some modification may require according to the changing world. For example: In the olden days, our forefathers wore only a piece of cloths to hide their genital, will you say that is our culture and tradition and start wearing in your office in the same way, will you do that? Women usually not wearing a single piece of cloth to cover their upper portion. Will you say it is our culture and tradition and let your sister intend to follow? Will not it be a shame eventhough it was our culture?

3. Cultural modification:
To live more peacefully, a better living and to unite all our brothers and sisters who could not mingling together in society; cultural modification is the need of hour in the present context of Arunachal Pradesh. Cultural heritage to be preserved but it should has no link with religious. Cultural is a form or type of civilization of a certain people or nation. Therefore, earlier civilization and modern civilization has vast different, that has to be aware of it.

If you are belongs to a particular tribe or nation,whether you are Christian or Donyi- Polo, Sikh or Buddhist; you cant loss your culture because that is your identity. Especially traditional items, dress, dances should be preserved.

4. Why Christian didnt participate in either Mopin nor Solung?
It may be too early to blame them without addressing the issue. Mostly Christian cant or will not participate because

a).Mopin is religious belief and not related with culture.
b)- People sacrifice to Mopin through Pinku-Pinte whearas Christian can sacrifice to God through Jesus. Christian has nothing to fear nor worship Mopin which the Christian term Satan.

c)- Apong cant be partake by Christian as their God objected to drink so. Instead Pepsi or cold drinks for Christian.
d)- Solung or Mopin mostly celebrated in Mopin Dere where Christian should not go due to religious belief. They can accompany or may participate in General or Community Hall, not Mopin Dere but Dere.

Especially Mopin is religious belief of Donyi-Poloism and Christian shouldnot be blame nor force to celebrate or drink during the festive events or the other. Cultural programmes and traditional display can also be participant by Christian. Eventhough they are Christian , they are still Galo or Adi or so. Religious song that include Mopin, Pinku Pinte, setan, Jesus, Mohamed, Buddha, Donyi- Polo, Christian should be excluded due to the sentiment of belief. There must be a society beyond religion who cares for all the community. Thus, everyone will worship whosoever they believe, but everyone will participate and preserve the culture.Then the cheorographers will lament ,

" Eventhough we have many gods, We are ONE.
We are many clans and diverse language, but we are one Tribe. We came from öne father Abotani, We are brothers and Sisters. Let us live together peacefully. "


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