Bomyerung Donyipolo - Bomyerung Donyipolo(May Almighty Donyi Polo Bless Us All!)

Donyi is the Sun and Polo is the Moon – a prayer to these celestial bodies because it is through them that humankind thrives.

The diversity of Arunachal Pradesh is its beauty, potential, and strength. The intrinsic cultural diversity of the Janajaatis here is the soul of Arunachal Pradesh, and it must be maintained and preserved for future generations. As we know, all of India is built on the principle of Unity in Diversity. With as many as 26 major Janajaatis and more than 100 sub Janajaatis, Arunachal Pradesh is on a developmental path. To embrace this diversity, while reminding ourselves of the importance of UNITY, Arunachal celebrates Indigenous Faith Day every year on December 1.

Why is it celebrated on December 1, and when did it start?

The date was chosen to honor Golgi Bote Talom Rukbo ji, who is considered the father of the Donyi-Polo faith (the worship of the Sun and Moon). He began his reformation movement on December 1, 1978, re-establishing the indigenous faith among the people. The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has been instrumental in institutionalizing all indigenous faiths of the state. Arunachal celebrates Indigenous Faith Day on December 1 each year, reminding us to take pride in our age-old cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations. The naming of the state’s first airport as Donyi Polo Airport is just one example of recognizing the importance of our indigenous culture.

What do they do on this day?

Representatives of indigenous faiths from different parts and Janajaatis of Arunachal Pradesh participate in cultural presentations. On December 1, 2022, I attended Indigenous Faith Day in Pasighat, East Siang district, and the day was mesmerizing. It started early in the morning with a long procession, with many people walking, holding flags, chanting, and proclaiming "Bomyerung Donyipolo" – it should be said twice: the first time in a plain tone, and the second time with some emphasis on "BomyeRUNG Donyipolo" – with slight pressure on the word "Rung" to create a rhythmic sound.

The celebrations included presentations from different Janajaatis, folk songs, and folk dances.

Sticky rice, read tea (laal chai), and sacred rice beer were also served. We wore Gaale, the traditional wear of the Arunachalee.

The day, full of colours, music, and a sense of reconnecting with our roots, ended beautifully.

Who are indigenous people?

Why should we delve into man-made, conceptualized definitions of the word "indigenous"? It is a simple word with a simple meaning: living or growing in the place where one originally comes from (specifically used for people, animals, or plants). Now, this leads to the question: Are we not indigenous? (Marathi’s to Maharashtra, Gujaratis to Gujarat, and so on).Think about it – referring to them as indigenous with the connotation of being primitive, underdeveloped, or residing in remote villages/forests/hills is misleading. We are all indigenous to our own origins.

Embracing Unified Diversity

The United Nations recognized the term "Diversity" in 2001, but we, Indians, have already not only recognized but practiced and preached this principle since the Vedic period. It flows in our blood; it is in our soul – we just need to revisit it. The hymns from the Vedas, such as "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" (may all beings be happy), the "Pasayadan" (prayer for the well-being of all people), and the prayers from Arunachal – "Bomyerung Donyipolo" – share the same message: may every person in the world be happy, peaceful, and prosperous.

Finding Commonality

We celebrate Vaari, which is the biggest gathering in Maharashtra, where people from 18 different communities come together to recite the name of the Almighty. This faith, rooted in the soil of Maharashtra, with a shared language and different dialects, reflects how we celebrate our indigenous faith through this festival.

Development Through Culture 

We do not have different cultures – it’s the expression of culture that differs.

Let’s find such commonalities and embrace this unified diversity among us.Let’s participate in such festivals where unity is celebrated.

May Donyi Polo bless us all.Bomyerung Donyipolo - Bomyerung Donyipolo