By ABLK
"Ye shall have no other gods before me (v3)... nor bowdown or serve them(v5)..(1)
Solung festival is one of the main religious feestival of Adis community and the festival is primarily connected with Agricuture activity. One of the goddess 'KINE-NANE' told to the people to make a yearly sacrifice with Mithun and Pig in the sacrifice name call ' SOLUNG'. It is also believe that Kine-Nane is the founder of Paddy, according to Adi's tradition. Traditionally they concluded that by sacrificing Mithun and Pig, their field would be protect and bless by goddess. (2) If the goddess Kine - Nane and god Doying-Bote are pleased and satisfied with their sacrifices, the former will appear in the form of clouds and rains that will produce great fertily soil.
Our God, who created the universe and every animals according to its kind, and all human being and all things in this world (3) has commanded us not to have other gods, worship nor sacrifice to them. (4). Christian cant believes nor made sacrifice in the name of Solung to Doying Bote(Adi's believe as god) and Kine-Nane (goddess) in connection with harvest. The Adis legendary narrated that the plant of paddy originated from the life juice of Yidum Bote (Son of the god of knowledge) Because, their Lord didnt permit them as they are chosen to be Holy (5).
Kine- Nane(who was believe to be goddess) required Mithun and Pig sacrifice for blessings, but the God of Christian desire MERCY(steadfast love) rather than sacrifice (6). They believe Kine-Nane would bless their field, plantations, jobs, rain and fertile soil to produce more grains. But God had spoken to Haggai that climate, paddy, money, richness, drought in his hand. (7) When people are disobedience and far away from him, he brought famine, drought to them to let them know that He is everything.
Therefore, Solung is not cultural celebration rathan belief. Culture loss is identity lost but religion lost is not identity lost. Religion is belief and culture is our identity.
Solung is celebrated in the month of August/ September in connection with harvest. For Christians, Feast of the Harvest or Agricultural activity celebration was practice in the Old Testment in the month of Sivan (May/June) (8). But some Churches in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur are celebrating harvest/first fruit on August/ Septembert and November respectively. Especially the christians in East, Upper and West Siang can adopt festival of Harvest in March/April or August/September as they celebrated traditionally. Christian doesnt mean that we should forsake our culture, dress, dance instead we should more focus and preserve our culture which reveals our identity.
Apong is made of yeast which is forbidden by Christian God and all types of intoxication(Wine) .(9) On the day of celebration, any juice shall be served to Christian in place of Apong.
Miri ( religious leader or priest) sings Solung Abung and relate stories of the origin of man, animals , plants etc throughout Solung Gidi. In christian term Miri can be Priest, Pastor, Evangelist, Choir Master who deliver the same as Miris' did in the occassion. While sing and dance, certain words like Doying Bote, Kine-Nane, Donyi-Polo (in place of god can be change into God, Jehovah, Jesus etc as the song composed.
On Solung Gidi dogin, Doreph Long, Binnayard Binam, Yaktor of Ekoph, Oinyard, Irni, Yegling, Christian members also has to do in the name of God , Jesus etc to prosper paddy as Donyi-Polo followers did saperately. Inviting one another for party and dance but respecting their religious belief. Cultural modification is the need of hour to contain and protect one's own culture which any religions of our broken brothers and Sisters can too involved.
Religion and belief shall not gain gap among family, villages, tribes and community. Society should not be driven by belief but everyone shall get freedom to choose any religiön. Society shall protect and deliver justice to everyone. Thus peace and prosperity, love and brotherhood will dwell among us .
ENDNOTES:
(1.) Exodus 20:3,5.
(2) http://pasighat.com.wordpress.com?archives-list=1
(3) Gen 1:26-27
(4) Ex 20:3,5
(5) Lev 20:26
(6) Hos 6:6
(7) Hag 1:10,11
(8) Lev 23:15-21
(9) Prov 20:1)
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