Tagin, the name of a tribal group in Arunachal Pradesh has no less contribution in the diversified culture and tradition in the north eastern state. Festivals provide them the best opportunity to upkeep their uniqueness apart from strengthening unity and brotherhood. The most colourful and salient event of the Tagins is Si-Donyi festival. The annual event, basically, is a puja to appease the Si-Donyi for global peace and prosperity as they believe in the supreme power of the sungod. “Si” stands for the earth. They believe that their day to day functions keep going only by the grace of the sun, the moon, the earth and the natural elements.

Individually, nobody can afford to hold the event where a huge amount of money is involved. The people of all walks of life in the tribe contribute to the annual event where rice powder and rice beer are inevitable items. Rice powder, which they call “etting” are mixed with rice beer (Apeng).

Local youths in large number, who keep waiting for January, gear up for the festival under the guidance of the elders much ahead of it. The elders set up a committee to ensure a peaceful celebration of the event. The priest whom they call Nibu perform the formalities which include Sune-Rabo, Takar, Gene Koni Bakar and Hoye Penam. They believe that these are the best possible ways to appease the Si and Doni who would help them remain fine and get bounteous crops. There was a time when the priests sacrificed animals. But now a days, the animal slaughter is a thing of the past. After all, the background is joy and anxiety. Cultural hymns are associated with the heavenly bodies.

The focus falls on the cultural activities in the sidelights of the event where dressed in traditional attires with split bamboo headgears, the Tagin boys and girls sing and dance showing age old heritage and in born potency much to the delights of the locals and foreign and domestic tourists. This is an occasion for the tribal group in the frontier state to keep their cultural prosperity alive.

Now a days, the festival never confines to the Tagins. People belonging to other tribes in the state show equal zeal and vigour during the festival. Local administration facilitates these people to celebrate the event to spread the message of bonhomie and brotherhood.    

The festival, in fact, suggests their strong connection and belief with sun and moon apart from hard work and cultural ethos.