In the verdant hills of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, the Kargu Gamgi movement has long been a cornerstone of indigenous spirituality among the Galo community. This venerable faith, rooted in the worship of Almighty Donyi-Polo and reverence for nature’s elements, has found renewed vigor and recognition, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of the Tony Koyu Foundation.
Originating from the animistic traditions of the Galo people, the Kargu Gamgi movement represents a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. Dr. Tony Koyu, a visionary scholar and advocate for indigenous spirituality, played a pivotal role in elevating this centuries-old tradition to prominence in the 20th century.
“Kargu Gamgi,” which roughly translates to “the path of the righteous,” holds profound significance for the Galo community. It serves not only as a spiritual compass but also as a repository of cultural identity and communal solidarity. Through rituals,organised prayers, and adherence to ethical principles, followers of the Kargu Gamgi movement seek to maintain harmony with the natural world and honor their ancestral legacy.
At the heart of this faith is the veneration of Almighty Donyi-Polo, symbolizing the eternal dance of light and darkness, creation and dissolution. Dr. Tony Koyu’s scholarly pursuits were instrumental in codifying the rituals, hymns and beliefs associated with Donyi-Polo, ensuring their preservation for future generations. His philosophical work, including the comprehensive guide and humanly code of conducts codified in a Scripture named “ORMEN,” popularly known as ‘Donyipolo Orman’ has provided invaluable insights into the genesis of creations of this universe, significance of Donyipolo in our life, verses like in Bible and Geeta besides intricacies of the Kargu Gamgi movement is a common platform to groom good and dedicated socio-spiritual Leaders to carry on the legacy of Dr. Koyu’s dreams and foundations of Organised prayer systems.
In the initial stage, Dr Koyu along with his devoted followers faced tough objections but gradually the Society understood it’s necessity as many have already been evangelized and converted into Alien religion that posed a dangerous threats to survival of tribal faiths. In this respect many Kargu GAMGI management committees were formed and later integrated in formation of Central Kargu GAMGI Council with Head Quarter at Aalo headed by Mr. Mogi Ori, senior priest as President and Mr. Lojen Kamcham as general secretary and Mr. Doi Kamduk as Vice President. In the month of November 2017, delegates of entire Kargu GAMGI of different places or districts assembled at Aalo and resolved to Unite to uphold identity of Indigenous Faith movement in the form of spreading more and more Kargu GAMGIs even with the help of Governments.
In the initial state Mr Mido Lollen and Mr. Lava Potom were nominated as the founding President and General Secretary besides Mr. Boys Potom became GAMGI Abo and Mrs Otu Potom and many others have contributed a lot to stabilise Kargu GAMGI movement. Lot of Orientation training programme were conducted by Dr. Koyu as President of IFCSAP in the year 2003-2007, and imparted trainings of chanting of healing hymns from the scripture “ORMEN” thereby produced a number of good healers like Ms Chigam Karlo, Mrs Gumyir Kato Taba, Mr. Boys Potom, Mrs Ramey Potom, Mrs Otu Potom, Mr. Mido Lollen, Mr. Goken Bagra, Mrs. Yama Hai, Lt. Yido Boje, Lt. Perik Ado, Mr Karnya Nyorak, Mr. Tompe Boje, Mrs Mongam Dirchi, Ms. Tomi Ete and Ms Rosmi Romin and many more.
While acting as the State President of IFCSAP, he got approved funds from the Government and constructed such community cultural halls as “Kargu GAMGI” at Likabali, Basar, Liromoba , Kamba, Aalo, and many places. Before any such things he constructed a KARGU GAMGI building at Niti Vihar Itanagar on his own land at his own cost in 2004 and dedicated the same to Donyipolo followers of Galo community. Since then for last 20 years our Galo people have been practising the organised prayer system at such Prayer centre and later spread the same to other parts of state. During last 20 years Dr. Koyu has fully devoted his life in making discourses and healing helpless people. Besides he along with his KGC Teams travelled rural villages and setup new Kargu GAMGI and inaugurated them. He opened and created awareness to such centres at Hime village, Torajan, Dari, Zirdo, Chisi, pusi gecko, pusi Doke, Basar, Baririjo, Daporijo, Ziro, and many more interior places without caring hostile environment and bad topography of our state. The creativity of Dr. Koyu is unparalleled and really a yeoman service to promote and preserve our indigenous faith and cultural heritage of own community that the Society needs to take Cognizant of.
Beyond scholarly endeavors, the Tony Koyu Foundation has been at the forefront of promoting awareness and deep solidarity for recognition of the Kargu Gamgi movement on both regional and national levels. Through cultural festivals, educational initiatives, and advocacy campaigns, the foundation has sought to celebrate the richness of indigenous spirituality while fostering dialogue and understanding among diverse communities.
In recognition of his unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting indigenous traditions, Dr. Tony Koyu has been hailed as a visionary leader and cultural luminary. His legacy endures through the countless lives touched by the teachings of the Kargu Gamgi movement, instilling a sense of pride and reverence for the natural world. As a result a new Cultural Revolution has brought a New Renaissance of Indigenous Faith and Cultural practices of Galo ethnic group to adopt ‘Kargu-GAMGI’ being the most healing and suitable word to house the image of Donyipolo a prayer centre like church and Mandir etc. Now the community has atleast a KARGU GAMGI in every village and towns where Galo community inhabited and every Sunday the followers make religious discourse and disseminate traditional indigenous spiritual knowledge etc and help each others.
As the Tony Koyu Foundation continues to assist to digitalize and document cause of indigenous spirituality, the Kargu Gamgi movement stands as a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the importance of cultural heritage in shaping collective identity. In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, the wisdom of Donyi-Polo and the principles of the Kargu Gamgi movement offer a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
