Mingkeng Osik
PASIGHAT, SEP 9:
The 60th Central Solung Festival began here on Wednesday with traditional rituals, cultural performances and community gatherings, bringing together generations of the Adi community to celebrate its heritage, agricultural traditions and collective identity.
Jonai MLA Bhubon Pegu attended the inaugural programme as chief guest, while former Nari-Koyu MLA Kento Rina was the Guest of Honour. The programme brought together community elders, cultural practitioners, artists, public representatives, invitees and members of the public.
The opening day featured the gathering of Solung Committee members and Po parties, reception of senior citizens and invitees, inauguration of festival stalls, traditional rituals, unfurling of the Solung flag and a community Po. A public function, community feast and cultural competitions involving young participants followed.
Addressing the gathering, Central Solung President Jorsing Moyong highlighted the historical significance of Solung and its deep connection with the traditional way of life of the Adi people. He said the festival is rooted in agriculture, traditional knowledge, social values and the community’s relationship with nature.
Moyong said Solung is not merely an annual cultural celebration but an important platform for transmitting customs, traditions and history from one generation to another. As the festival reached its 60th edition, he called upon the younger generation to actively participate in its rituals, songs, dances and traditional practices and ensure that modernisation and technological advancement do not lead to the loss of indigenous knowledge.
Pegu stressed the need to protect indigenous culture amid the growing influence of globalisation, the internet and rapidly changing patterns of entertainment among the younger generation.
He expressed concern that traditional long songs, stories and cultural narratives are receiving less attention as young people increasingly spend time consuming short-form digital content. He said traditional songs and oral narratives are not merely entertainment but repositories of history, knowledge, values and community identity.
The MLA also called for greater recognition and support for local artists, observing that community artists often do not receive the same appreciation or financial support as popular performers from outside. He urged people to encourage and honour local singers, musicians and cultural practitioners as important carriers of indigenous traditions.
At the same time, Pegu said cultural preservation should not be seen as opposition to modernisation. He noted that the Adi community has talented contemporary singers and musicians producing quality modern music and said traditional and contemporary forms should progress together.
Referring to the cultural interpretation associated with Kaling Borang, particularly the significance of Solung and the reference to Lune as girl and Solung’s association with harvest, Pegu said traditional knowledge should be presented in forms that the younger generation can easily understand and relate to. He suggested using songs and other creative forms to preserve and communicate cultural stories, history and indigenous knowledge.
Pegu also called for greater unity among the Tani communities, particularly on issues concerning land and community interests. He said such matters should not be reduced to disputes arising from political or administrative boundaries and called for collective discussions and appropriate resolutions through an apex-level community body.
He stressed that while administrative boundaries may separate areas, they should not divide the shared identity, history, culture and traditional connections of the people.
Linking the future of indigenous communities with environmental protection, Pegu called for greater cooperation among the northeastern states on common concerns including global warming, agriculture, livelihoods and sustainable development. He suggested constructive dialogue among the leadership of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland to address challenges affecting communities whose livelihoods remain closely linked with nature.
Pegu described Solung and similar festivals as more than cultural gatherings, saying they provide an opportunity to reconnect society with land, agriculture, nature, tradition and community values. He also said it was an honour to attend the 60th Central Solung Festival, noting that it was his first visit to the celebration despite having served as an MLA for several years.
The inaugural day concluded with solo and group dance competitions and traditional Po performances.
The 60th Central Solung Festival thus opened with a strong emphasis on preserving Adi cultural heritage while encouraging the younger generation to engage with tradition, support local artists and maintain a connection with their roots.
