Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has reaffirmed his government’s firm commitment to preserving and promoting the indigenous faiths and traditions of the state’s tribal communities, calling them the “spiritual and cultural soul” of the people.
In a message shared on his official X account, Khandu underscored the distinct nature of indigenous belief systems, stating, “They don’t come from books, but from land, memory, and lived tradition. They are not exported, they are rooted. They hold the soul of our people, our forests, mountains, rivers, and ancestors.”
Khandu emphasized that protecting these traditions is not just a cultural task but essential to maintaining the identity of the people of Arunachal. “This isn’t just about culture. It’s about who we are. And it’s about making sure we don’t forget,” he wrote.
As part of this ongoing effort, the state government has launched several initiatives across Arunachal Pradesh:
Six indigenous gurukuls have been established for the Adi, Galo, Nyishi, and Tangsa tribes to promote traditional knowledge systems through community-led institutions.
Over 3,000 registered indigenous priests are now receiving honorariums from the state for their vital role in performing rituals, preserving oral traditions, and guiding spiritual practices.
Fifty dedicated indigenous prayer centres have been set up across the state to provide spiritual spaces for community members.
Tribal cultural centres are being developed in every district to serve as hubs for cultural training, documentation, and awareness generation.
“These efforts reflect the government’s resolve to strengthen the ancestral wisdom of Arunachal’s many tribes and to ensure their traditions remain vibrant for future generations,” Khandu added in his social media post.
He also stated, “That’s why we are investing in preserving and promoting the traditional values and ethos of our indigenous communities.”
Why are Indigenous faiths so important to preserve, unlike major religions?
Because they don’t come from books, but from land, memory, and lived tradition. They are not exported, they are rooted. They hold the soul of our people, our forests, mountains, rivers, and ancestors.… pic.twitter.com/RVhXUdqVq4
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) July 24, 2025
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Arunachal has been actively supporting indigenous faiths such as Donyi Polo and Rangfraism. The state is among the few in India where priests from local traditions are paid regular honorariums, and prayer centres are being institutionalized as part of state policy.
(With inputs from The Sentinel)
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