● Solung Festival

One of the popular agriculture festivals, Solung is celebrated by the Adi Tribes.
The festival is celebrated in the first week of September, after the sowing of
seeds, to seek prosperity and a good harvest. The main celebration of the
festivals are in three main parts - Sopi---Yekpi (the first part and the sacrificial
day), Binnayat (the second part, the ritual offering to the goddess of crops, Kine
Nane) and Ekop (also called Taktor; the ritual made for protection against harms
by evil spirits)

The first part known as Sopi-Yekpi or Ardo-Bado is the main inaugural day during
which mithuns and pigs are sacrificed and offered to Dadi Bote, the god of
domestic animals. The second part of the festival is Binyat during which the
goddess of crops and food, Kine Nane, is worshipped. During the last phase of
the festival, Ekop or Taktor, Miri, the singer leader, narrates the story of Nibo or
Abotani who was the forefather of the Tanis.

Apart from all these, people offer rituals for the protection against the evil spirits
and pray to Doying Bote and Gumin-Soyin to shower their blessings. The main
highlight of the festival that makes it a must-see over a tour to Arunachal
Pardesh is Ponung dance performance, which is done by the ladies of all age
group.
● Mopin Festival

The festivals in Arunachal Pradesh have the potential to absolutely dazzle you by
their dance, folk songs and local brews and in Mopin you will find just that. A
popular agricultural festival celebrated by the Galo tribe is Mopin festival. As a
matter of fact, during this festival you can see the locals smearing rice powder in
each other’s faces; this marks the start of the festival. This is celebrated during
the month of April. You can notice the women present their slow and graceful
dance all dressed in white.

This festival is celebrated in order to drive away the evil spirits; the Galo tribe
actively participate in this auspicious celebration. In order to please or place an
offering to God an animal is sacrificed, in this case Mithun is considered very
auspicious animal. This must see festival of Arunachal Pradesh is a five day long
affair and they chant folk songs along with an elegant dance known asPopir. The
people can also enjoy locally brewed rice beer called Apong by Galo tribe.
● Losar Festival

Marking the start of spring and the first day of the lunar calendar, Losar is a popular
festival of Arunachal Pradesh. It is celebrated by the people of Monpa Tribe who are said
to be inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh since 500 BC. Monpa Tribe practices agriculture
and animal husbandry and follows Buddhist religion. Losar is a 3-day festival, which is
celebrated with great pomp and show in Tawang.

The term Losar is made of two words, ‘Lo’-which means year and ‘Sar’ - meaning new.
The festival is observed to ward off evil spirits and welcome the the new year that shall
be filled with happiness and prosperity. The date for the festival mostly falls in the
months of January, February or March; and the Tibetan lunar calendar assigns an
element and an animal to each year.

A day prior to the main festivals, people clean and paint their houses; and prepare
offerings, which is known as ‘Lama Losar.’ Eight auspicious symbols called Tashi
Dargye - the precious umbrella, a victory banner, 2 golden fish, a right coiled white
conch shell, a lotus flower, a vase of treasure, the Dharma Wheel and the Eternal Knot
are used to decorate houses. On the day of the festival, first the prayers are offered at
Tawang Monastery, offerings are also made to the household shrine. In the evening, a
traditional noodle soup called guthuk is prepared, which contains dumplings made from
flour and water by stuffing with nine different fortune symbols that is said to determine
the fortune of the person in the next year. The second day of the festival is reserved for
the King and is called Gyalpo Losar.

On this day people visit their friends and participate in traditional mask dance, Aji Lhamu.
They even exchange greetings and wish one another ‘tashi delek’, which means ‘good
luck’. In the evening torches are lit by the people with the belief that it will ward off evil
spirits from their abodes.

On the final day of Losar festival, visits are paid to the local monastery to offer prayers,
donation of food and clothes is also made, and people raise flags, make butter
sculptures and burn juniper leaves.
● Boori Boot Festival

Exclusively performed by Nyishi tribes in February to welcome the spring, and a

successful harvest, Boori Boot is a must experience over a trip to Arunachal
Pradesh. Nyishi is the largest community in Arunachal Pradesh, and are mainly
settled in Daporijo, Upper Subansiri Locale and Raga and Dollungmukh ranges
of Lower Subansiri Region of Arunachal Pradesh. This fortnight-long festival
begins with various competition like tug of war, folk dance, and archery. It is
believed that the festival evokes the spirit of Boori Boot, who will bless them with
all the happiness, and free from every kind of disease. A special puja is
performed by the priest- Nibu, followed by an animal sacrifice for the mankind to
be blessed with prosperity and be free from diseases.
 ● Dree Festival

Dree festival is a popular festivalin Arunachal Pradesh and it is an important

agricultural festival of Apatani tribe. This is the biggest festival celebrated by
Apatani and it is marked by sacrificial offerings and prayers. This festival is
celebrated on 5th of July and you can witness this auspicious festival in Ziro
district of Arunachal Pradesh. Dree is celebrated in order to bring a bountiful
harvest season, hence, Apatani offers prayers to four Gods they follow - Tamu,
Harniang, Metii, and Danyi. This three day long agricultural festival is joyously
celebrated with traditional cloths worn by women and children.

Dree festival is one of the best festivals in Arunachal Pradesh, during this feast,
delicious and tangy rice and millet beer are served followed by traditional dances
and songs performed by the tribe people. Besides, it can be considered an
interesting festival of Arunachal because during this festival cucumber is
distributed to the guests and participants; this symbolizes the sacredness of
vegetables and perhaps for fruitful agriculture. Throughout the three day festival
games and sports are actively partaken and this results as a source of
entertainment. You can always be a part of this festival in ArunachalPradesh and
see the colour, feasts and rituals of its rich cultural heritage.
● Nechi Dau Festival

Nechi Dau or Nechido is celebrated by the tribe of Aka in Arunachal Pradesh.

The festival is celebrated in the month of November each year and lasts for four
days. The Akas worship different gods and goddesses for warding off the
diseases of children, men and women; welfare of the village; and for good
harvest and luck during hunting and chasing. The tribe of Aka also known as
Hruso can be found in Thrizino , Bhalukpong, Buragaon, Jamiri, Palizi, Khuppi
area in West Kameng. The celebration of Nechido by Akas also involve affiliation
with the natural world and community.
● Chalo-Loku Festival

The most colorful festival of Arunachal Pradesh, Chalo Loku is a harvest festival
that is celebrated in the month of October-November annually; right after the
harvest of the paddy field, and before the start of the new Jhum cultivation. The
festival got its name from three words: Cha meaning paddy; Lo, which means
season, and Loku, which means festival. It lasts for three days, with the first
called Phamlamja, the second day is Chamkatja and the third and final day is
called Thanlangja. The highlight of the festival is the rice bear, which is prepared
specially for this day.

On the first day i.e. Phamlamja, buffaloes, and pigs are sacrificed for the meat,
and villagers engage themselves in hectic preparations for the next day. The
most important day of the festival is second day, also known as Chamkatja, as
this is when the Chamkat ceremony takes place. On Thanlangja, the final day of
the festival, villagers of every age take part in the dance festival, which is
performed at the Chief’s house and in the premises of the Paang. Also, the
families who have observes Chamkat are also invited to dance, Thanlangja is
also a day for the people to visit their relatives and friends and exchange
pleasantries.
● Longte Yullo Festival

Longte Yullo is one of the oldest festivals of the Nyishis tribe in Arunachal
Pradesh. This must see festival has a unique feature and that is, Longte Yullo
has neither ritual sacrificing nor any ritual chanting. Ultimately, this makes the
celebration a different and interesting festival amongst other harvest festivals of
Arunachal Pradesh. However, the altar is neatly garland with decorative white
feather of domestic fowl and bamboo decorated flowers to mark the occasion.
This festival is celebrated by the Dodum clans of the Niyshis including Koloriang,
Chayang Tajo, Huri, Damin, Sarli, Parsiparlo etc. Longte-Yullo is celebrated with
traditional gaiety and devoutness on the onset of spring season in the month of
April.
● Oriah Festival

The festival of Oijale/Oriah is celebrated by the tribe of Wanchos who inhabit the
Patkai Hills region in Longding District. Oijale us held either in the month of
March or April and is main festival of Wancho Tribe. It is a 6-12 days festival that
involves prayers, music and dance.

During the festival, villagers exchange bamboo tubes of rice beer as a symbol of
greeting and good will. Pigs, buffaloes and mithuns are sacrificed and feasts are
prepared. Both men and women wear traditional costumes and participate in
singing and dances, which take place around a ‘Jangban,’ which is a long
ceremonial pole planted during the festival.
● Reh – Idu Festival

An important festival of Arunachal Pradesh, Reh is the festival of the Idus tribes.
People of Idus tribe believe that they are the sons, and daughters of divine
mother 'Nanyi Inyitaya.' And the fact is that no one can get the blessings of the
divine mother by keeping their bond alive of brotherhood until, and unless they
celebrate the Reh festival. Celebrating this festival is important but it is usually
seen that not everyone can celebrate it as preparing for it can cost a bomb. The
festival is celebrated between February-August for six days. Tribes of villages
like Talo, Amru, and Dri villages that stay in the snowfall area celebrate it during
summer and monsoon as the weather is moderate and fishes can be seen in the
streams.

Andropu is the first day of the festival during which prayers are offered so that
next five days can pass off smoothly. On this day, the mithuns are brought and
tied near the house. Also, a dance is performed in the night. Eyanli is the second
day of the festival on which mithuns and buffaloes are killed. On the third day -
'Iyili,' special meal is prepared. There's no much feasting on the fourth day,
Ilyiromunyi but a ritual is performed for wealth, prosperity, and well-being. On this
day, an omen is also performed by pouring 'Yu' rice beer into the ears of a pig. If
the pig doesn't show any sign of concern, it is considered evil. The fifth day of the
festival is Aru-Go, during which special festival takes place.
● Sanken Festival

Sanken/Sangken Festival is one of the most unique religious festivals in

Arunachal Pradesh. Sanken is a three day long festival and it is celebrated on
14th February every year. This festival is mainly celebrated by the Khampti tribe
of Lohit district, although, Sanken is widely celebrated in the entire Arunachal
Pradesh. Another popular festival of Arunachal Pradesh marks the beginning of
the New Year. This festival is also regarded as the festival of water; it is believed
that sprinkling water shows a sign of respect and a cleansing ritual to welcome
the New Year. This is definitely a must see festival when you visit Arunachal.

During the entire festival, you can notice the people refrain from all forms of
manual work, intoxicating drinks, gambling, killing of animals and even cutting
trees. On the first day of the festival you can hear beating of drums and gongs
that echoes near and far. During this festival, there is a ritual to bathe the idol of
Buddha and on the final day, the idol is installed back in the main temple. It is not
just the Buddhist who celebrates this auspicious festival but it is also celebrated
by Singpho, Tikhaks, Khamyang and Phakyal community of Arunachal Pradesh.
● Si-Donyi Festival

The festival of Si-Donyi is celebrated by one of the major tribes of Arunachal

Pradesh known as Tagin. Celebrated in the month of January every year, this
festival marks the beginning of a new year. The festival is observed for the
well-being of the community and mankind as a whole. Tagins are the inhabitants
of Upper Subansari and can also be found in West Siang district.

The term Si-Dyoni comes from two words ‘Si,’ which means earth; and ‘Dyoni,’
which means earth. So, evidently during the festival, the sun and earth are
worshipped along with other deities and sacrifice of two Mithuns (Gayal) are
conducted with the warding off of the evil spirit. The high priest, Nyibu recite
certain hymns known as ‘Uyu Barman’ that calls the spirit who is responsible for
causing the problem. Offering of a white chicken, which can be of any gender is
made to ‘Nonyi’ on the peak of a high pole in a ceremony known as ‘Donyi Meli
Pinam.’ Then sharing the meat of the sacrificed Mithun is done amongst the
people. Also, rhythmic dances such as Chungne, Riabu, Takar Ghene and
traditional folk dances like Konyi Bokar and Hoyi Penam are also performed in
the celebration to please the Si Donyi.
● Nyokum -Yullo Festival

The traditional festival of Arunachal Pradesh, Nyokum is mainly celebrated by the

Nyishi tribe. The term 'Nyokum' is derived from two words - "Nyok" means "land
or earth" and "Kum" means collectiveness or togetherness. That's perhaps the
why it is called that celebrating this festival is like inviting all the Gods and
Goddesses of the Universe. It is celebrated to invocate spirit forces in nature to
ensure the harmony, prosperity, and well -being of the people who observed. On
this importanat Arunacahal Pradesh’s festival, a special prayer structure called
yugang is made of bamboo. With the bamboo, sacrificial animals are tethered.
It's the priest who decides the number and kinds of animals for sacrifice, or any
other offering to be made. You will not find any idol in the Puja.
● Tamladu Festival

Tamladu Festival is one of the ancient and popular festivals of Arunachal

Pradesh. This festival is celebrated in the Lohit district of the state by the Digaru
Mishmis tribe. During this festival you can witness the display of its social,
religious and supernatural beliefs and according to them it is only nature that can
prevents them from any nature’s fury. Hence, during this festival prayers are
offered to the nature.

Tamladu Festival is celebrated on 15th February and this festival spreads the
message of unity and gaiety. Throughout the festival you can see a performance
of Tanggong dance, which is a popular traditional dance. During your tourism in
Arunachal Pradesh, Tamladu is a must experience festival for it provides the
viewer an opportunity to learn about the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh and
observe their beliefs and custom.