A PERSPECTIVE ON THE BELIEF SYSTEM OF DIYING KHO: A FESTIVAL OF THE BUGUN TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Abstract

Religion has always been an integral part of human existence in this world. Since the early civilisation worship of Gods, Goddess and deities were performed in different forms like trees, stone, sun, moon, hills, mountains, rivers etc. People practiced and followed their own belief system. Buguns one of the animist tribe of Arunachal Pradesh has been believer of nature since ages which included different types of offerings in the form of sacrifices. The indigenous belief system are based on that section of people who are strongly knitted together by a kinship and follow the divine spirits, totem structures, supernatural power etc. The primitive religious practices of the tribe have been venerated by oral tradition in the form of folk lore’s, narrations of dance and song, mythological stories and expressions by the elderly native people. Arunachal Pradesh inhabited by 26 major tribes and various smaller sub tribes has innumerable oral history which enables to acknowledge the cultural, social and religious structure of a particular tribe. The state is endowed with various religious festivals which are believed to bring prosperity, happiness, togetherness and love in the community.

DiyingKho is one of the major festivals celebrated by the Buguns. It is commemorated in respect of river God Diying. It is celebrated by the people of Singchung village (also known as Braidua Thap). The festival is presided for seven days. Each day is marked with the worship of deities by erecting colourful flags known as Fhuan. Phabi Priest occupies an important position without which the festival is incomplete. Sacrifice is another feature which is termed very auspicious during the occasion.

However unlike the Monpas and Khamptis of the state Buguns do not have a scripts and this makes the task of reconstructing their history still more difficult. However the tribe is rich in oral folklores which enables in developing and understanding their past occurrences. This paper is an attempt, to build a historical perspective regarding their religious belief system.