Monday 21 April 2014

Dree Festival

Dree Festival

The Dree Festival involves the sacrifice of fowls, eggs and animals to the Gods. The gods worshipped during this festival are Tamu, Metii , Danyi and Harniang. The festival is celebrated to appease these Gods so as to avoid famine in the society. This festival is a part of the Apatanis in Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis, reside in a valley called Ziro. Ziro is located at the Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis are famous for the practice of wet rice cultivation. The Apatanis had invented the wet rice cultivation without using any form of scientific technologies and methods. Rice is the staple food of the Apatanis. The festival falls during the month of July each year and this festival is connected with the cultivation of rice.

DREE FESTIVAL OF THE APATANI TRIBE IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

During the Dree festival every household prepares the local beer “Apong” and performs cleaning of houses and its surroundings. The head priest (Nyibu) acts as a leader of these celebrations and rituals. The spot for the festival is decided by the priest and the elderly people of the village. The people follow the existing belief of choosing a place of worship near to a paddy field. The spot for the festival is decorated with branded bamboos. The god Danyi is prayed for protection and prosperity of the mankind. Tamu is prayed to protect the plants from harmful pests and insects. Metii is prayed for controlling of famine and epidemics. Harniang is prayed for keeping the soil stable, and preventing the paddy plants from getting dried.

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