Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT : Kongkura Festival 2.0, themed “My Roots-My Identity”, was organised at Tigra Mirbuk Musup near Pasighat on Tuesday with a focus on preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage and traditional practices of the Adi community.

The festival was organised by local NGO Ma Ke in collaboration with Tikgra Mirbuk Baane Kebang and Siang Trust. The event featured a series of traditional competitions showcasing indigenous folklore, crafts, language, rituals, food, clothing, and other cultural practices inherited from Adi ancestors.

Kongkura, meaning “Echoes of the Ancestors” in the Adi language, brought together men and women from various villages of East Siang and neighbouring districts to demonstrate their traditional knowledge and skills.

Traditional competitions for women included Sipiak Moki, Agam Kepel Lengki, Binyat Lengki, and Dot/Dolot Gungki/Kapki, while men participated in events such as Oying Pe Poki, Dore Poki, Koson Lengki, Remi/Riimo Iki, Leyo Sonam Lengki, Epuk Iyyi Apki, and tug of war. General competitions including Ledu Petkeng and Adi Agom Luki were also conducted for students from Class VII to Class XII and other age groups.

Participants who excelled in various categories were awarded prizes for demonstrating traditional skills and practices once widely followed by the Adi community.

A unique feature of the festival was the presence of elderly women as chief guests. The organisers invited 80-plus-year-old Yating Siram and Oso Darang as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively, along with 22 elderly women as special invitees.

Ma Ke chairman Dr Joya Tasung Moyong said, “My identity is not just where I am from. It is the folklores, language, food, clothes, rituals, festivals, and traits that we inherit, preserve, and pass on to future generations. Through Kongkura, we are trying to preserve, practise, and promote our roots and identity.”

“We have also formed a musical band named ‘Kongkura – Echoes of the Ancestors’ to carry forward our folk songs,” she added.

Dr Moyong urged the Adi community to preserve and promote traditional rituals, artefacts, indigenous food, and attire to safeguard the tribe’s identity amid rapid modernisation.

She also appreciated the active participation of community members and acknowledged the contributions of organising chairman Johny Ering, organising secretary Kaling Borang, and judges Tajing Taki, Tayon Dai, and Yater Ering Taloh for making the festival successful.