Pasighat, May 14: The second edition of the Kongkura:yo Festival was organised in Pasighat on Monday with the theme “My Roots–My Identity”, celebrating the cultural heritage, traditions and tribal identity of the Adi community.
The festival was organised by local NGO Ma:m Ke in collaboration with Tikgra Mirbuk Baane Kebang and Siang Trust at the Tigra Mirbuk Musup community hall near Pasighat township in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district.
Kongkura:yo, which translates to “Echoes of the Ancestors” in the Adi language, seeks to preserve, practise and promote the traditional heritage of the Adi tribe through folklores, language, food, rituals, clothing, crafts and indigenous customs inherited from earlier generations.
The daylong cultural event featured several traditional competitions for both men and women. Competitions for women included Sipiak Moki, Agam Kepel Lengki, Binyat Lengki and Dot/Dolot Gungki/Kapki, while men participated in contests such as Oying Pe:Jung Poki, Dore Poki, Koson Lengki, Remi/Riimo Iki, Leyo Sonam Lengki, Epuk Iyyi Apki and tug of war.
General competitions including Ledu Petkeng and Adi Agom Luki were also organised for students from Classes VII to XII and participants from other age groups.
Participants from various villages of East Siang district and nearby areas actively took part in the festival, showcasing traditional knowledge systems, indigenous practices and folklore that were once widely followed within the Adi community.
One of the major highlights of the festival was the presence of elderly women from the community as honoured guests. The organisers invited 80-plus-year-old women Yating Siram and Oso Darang as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively, while 22 elderly women from similar age groups were invited as special guests.
Speaking during the event, Dr Joya Tasung Moyong said the festival was an effort to preserve and pass on the identity and traditions of the Adi tribe to future generations.
“My identity is not just where I am from. It is the folklores, language, food, clothes, rituals, festivals and traits that we inherit and carry forward,” she said.
Moyong also announced the formation of a musical group named “Kongkura:yo – Echoes of the Ancestors” aimed at preserving and promoting traditional Adi folk songs.
She urged members of the Adi community to continue safeguarding traditional rituals, indigenous artefacts, food habits and clothing in the face of increasing modern influences and thanked the community for its enthusiastic participation in the festival.
The organisers also acknowledged the contributions of organising chairman Johny Ering and organising secretary Kaling Borang for the successful conduct of the event. Judges including Tajing Taki, Tayon Dai and Yater Ering Taloh were also thanked for evaluating the participants during the competitions.
