ZIRO/DAPORIJO : The annual Dree Festival, the premier agricultural festival of the Apatani community, was celebrated with traditional fervour and cultural splendour across Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, with the main festivities held in Ziro Valley and Daporijo.
Thousands of people, including public representatives, government officials and members of the community, joined the celebrations, offering prayers for a bountiful harvest, prosperity and the preservation of the Apatani cultural heritage.
In Ziro Valley, the celebrations were organised simultaneously at three major venues, each highlighting different facets of the community’s rich traditions while drawing enthusiastic participation from residents and visitors.
The Central Dree Festival Committee (CDFC) organised the main celebrations at Biri Dree Ground in Hapoli, where the festival’s traditional agricultural rituals, community prayers and the 59th Central Dree Football Tournament were held. Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra attended the function as chief guests.
At Siilang Ditting Dree Ground in Hija village, celebrations organised by the Siilang Ditting Dree Festival Celebration Committee featured the inaugural Apatani Fashion Week, showcasing traditional Apatani attire blended with contemporary designs. The event also included the 2026 Academic Excellence Awards, presented by the Hija Officers and Welfare Society to meritorious students.
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperation and Transport Minister Ojing Tasing, who attended the Hija celebrations as the chief guest, lauded the organisers for successfully integrating cultural preservation with youth empowerment and creative innovation.
Meanwhile, celebrations at Hong Dree Ground in Hong village, attended by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Tai Tagak as the chief guest, focused on preserving indigenous traditions through community feasts, traditional sports and cultural performances, including the renowned Konchi Danyi folk songs.
The celebrations were also attended by public representatives, panchayat leaders, former minister Padi Richo, Tagin Cultural Society president, Gaon Buras, Gaon Buris and senior citizens from the region.
Organisers expressed gratitude to the district administration, volunteers and cultural troupes for their support and appealed to the younger generation to continue preserving the community’s rich cultural heritage.
The Apatani community in Daporijo, Upper Subansiri district, also celebrated Dree Festival with traditional enthusiasm at the Tagin Cultural Society (TCS) Secretariat.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Duyu Lampong, chairman of the Dree Celebration Committee, and Pura Tagia, secretary, under the guidance of Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo, who served as the chief advisor.
Daporijo MLA Taniya Soki, the chief patron of the celebration, commended the Apatani community for its discipline, progressive outlook and commitment to preserving its cultural identity while embracing development. He observed that the community’s ability to balance tradition with progress serves as an inspiring example.
Dumporijo MLA Rode Bui, attending as the chief guest, praised the Apatani community for its resilience and significant contributions to the state’s development. He urged the younger generation to uphold the values of hard work, perseverance and cultural pride.
Upper Subansiri Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Yadav, the guest of honour, appreciated the community’s rich cultural heritage and harmonious way of life, encouraging continued efforts to preserve traditional values while promoting peace and communal harmony.
The celebration featured colourful traditional dances, songs and cultural performances reflecting the rich heritage of the Apatani community.
It concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to preserving their cultural legacy while strengthening unity and mutual respect among the diverse communities of Upper Subansiri district.
