The Indigenous Faith Day was celebrated with fervour as earlier years by the indigenous community of Arunachal today, the 1st of December. The day is of great significance as it symbolises and reflects on the age old cultural and faith heritage which makes the vibrant tribes of Arunachal uniquely different.

Over the years while the narrative has been somewhat skewed giving the impression that the IFD is about countering the threat of foreign ideology and identity alone but the observation of this all important day is much deeper  than this. It is about tribal identity and tribal pride -- the value natives place on their rituals, traditions and way of life. It is not about them but it is about us. 

For the predominantly tribal Arunachalee society maintaining its unique identity and simultaneously marching ahead with development is of prime importance. In fact, the educated people have been instrumental in instilling the notion of safeguarding local indigenous faith and culture from the ‘uniformalizing’ advent of globalization.

As a society we are at a crossroad, caught between the traditional and the western culture. The indigenous way of life, its languages are all compromised.  Songs, stories, words and expressions — developed over many generations are all vulnerable.

Timely intervention is needed so we don't meet a similar fate many other cultures are facing globally.

 Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh has been spearheading the preservation and promotion of Indigenous faith and culture of Arunachal Pradesh. Organizations such as this which are fighting to keep indigenous identity alive must be given full support.

Indigenous communities across the world are fast succumbing to external elements. Given the situation it will be our folly to remain scattered and unorganized in preservation efforts. It is important to organize ourselves and create a structure on ways to preserve our core identity while marching ahead with modernity.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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