At many places the believes of Donyi polo faith especially Tani descendants observed and celebrated Donyi polo Day on 31st December 2024 at different places of State in which many senior indigenous faiths leaders have acted as the resource persons to motivate and guide awareness on importance of preserving indigenous faiths and culture.
Actually the
“Donyi polo Yelam Kebang” a registered non governmental Organization to promote, protect, Practice, preach and preserve the age old indigenous faith “DONYIPOLO”
was first officially.
announced on 31st December 1986. Lt. Talom Rukbo took much pain to lead the Donyi polo movement and thereby established first Ganging in 1989 at Pasighat .That was a first step towards reorganization of Donyi polo belief systems and founding of Donyi polo belief system in an organized form especially in Adi community that other communities of Tani descendants have later inherited with slight changes in their nomenclatures of prayer centers etc. Nevertheless, the name of the Golgi bote Talom Rukbo shall always be written with golden letters and inscribed as the path finder of such organized prayer systems in Donyipoloism although the Nyishi community have recognized their Donyipolo prayer Centre as ‘Nyedar Namlo’ and in Galo Community Dr. Tony Koyu has already been recognized as the founder of “Kargu-Gamgi” movement and the Apatanis have rechristened their prayer Centre as “Medernello”. However, one very commonality is the root word ‘Donyi polo’ the Supreme God of all without which no world or planets could survive.
Recently the surge of indigenous faith movement could be very visible due to much efforts of some sincere and devoted indigenous faith leaders because of whom many have realized right earnest that following own indigenous belief system is the only way to uphold tribal identity and culture in our state.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today mooted the plan to establish a university-level institute in the State for promotion, documentation, research and education on indigenous culture, faiths, and languages in collaboration with the International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), a non- profit organisation. he took another bold step to announce to establish IF cultural University . Recently even in the inaugural function of Silver jubilee celebrations, hon’ble Chief minister had advocated for preservation of indigenous faiths and culture to preserve tribal identity.
Shri Pema Khandu, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh along with his minister colleagues have graced as the Chief Guest at Donyi polo Day Celebration of Pachin Colony and inaugurated newly constructed Nyedar Namlo’. While rejoicing the occasion and promoting indigenous faiths and cultural heritage of different tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, A white pigeon that landed on the hands of HCM Khandu on 27th December 2024 could be the exhibition of God’s wish that Shri Pema needs to realize the urgency to promote and preserve the most threatened indigenous peoples belief system and cultural & tribal identities for which that the state Govt. needs to give full patronization and it is very much possible only during the tenure of most honourable Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu ji. Obviously Mr. Pema ji has acknowledged by assuring that his Government has already created a separate department namely Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) and it has been working at full swing since last 5 years and funded hugely for creating infrastructure like Ganging, Nyider Namlo, KARGU Gamgi, Medernello, Rangsumhum, and other indigenous faith temples besides providing honorarium to indigenous priests etc on monthly basis.
Accompanying as Guest of honour Mr. Mama Natung, Minister for DIA extended greetings of Happy Donyipolo Day Celebration and prayed to Goddess Ane Donyi to bestow happiness and prosperity to all. Besides he exhorted those who wish to return to own indigenous faith through Ghar Wapsi programs not to feel shy as own home is best and secured.
Shri Tai Tagak senior BJP Leader told that with help of cosmic energies Indigenous priest are able to heal even dreaded diseases besides upholding own tribal identity.
At Pasighat Lamrung Gangging, Dr. Tayek Talom Principal JNC (retired) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Dr. Tony Koyu was invited as the main speaker on the day as Resource Person. While appreciating Dr. Koyu, the hon’ble Chief guest lauded him that Dr. Tony Koyu to be a highly multi talented respected person as he is a well known an popular figure not only amongst GALO community but also in other communities as a learned person and also a social reformer, motivator besides performance of healing prayers. Therefore, our efforts to rope him into our prayer Centre’s to know about intricacies of indigenous faith systems to enlighten our Donyi polo believers etc. He further said that the population of believers of indigenous faith systems like ours in the world is merely 4% which is really meagre and fully threatened to extinct . Therefore every one should be dedicated only to pray, promote and preserve our Donyi poloism. In the initial stage although our people were first perplexed about the forms of Donyi polo image, however with the genius artistic works of late Komeng Dai such problems were overcome.
The invited special Guest Speaker Dr. Tony Koyu said that Donyi polo DAY symbolizes unity of thoughts, pride of own culture, brings lot of happiness and devotions to our Donyi polo believers. He advised all to pray Donyi polo with full dedication and devotion to get better results. Due to onslaught of modernity and western cultural invasions, our pristine glories have been eroded gradually as our own people are losing own traditional cultural identity and due to confusions in tremendous information pressures. Therefore, only way to preserve is to practice and preach our indigenous faiths and cultural identities. The God has been waiting for our prayers on daily basis therefore we should not hesitate to offer Donyi prayers. He even cited short stories of devoted followers who were lazy to work but met his end as God will never come down in person but support you through a human friend only. He advised all that Donyi polo would help those who are sincere and hard worker. He advised all to spread love and peace as God likes such activities. He furthermore said to sow seeds of love, peace, happiness, and support each other then only one can reap harvest of more love, peace and happiness abundantly. Further he appealed all to shed jealousy, hatred, anger, and revengeful attitudes as those acts are regarded as sinful acts. Besides, he apprised as to how the “KARGU Gamgi” movement took birth with his first step but now it has become a gigantic movement as every GALO loves to pray Donyi polo in a KARGU Gamgis. Lastly he showered lot of blessing prayers for all. He also said their connection to the land and its spirits forms the bedrock of the Kargu Gamgi movement, a unique resurgence of indigenous practices of belief system spearheaded by the remarkable Dr. Tony Koyu. He clarified that
different tribes have own way of such belief system with different names of the movement. The Nyishi have Nyedar Namlo movement, the Apatanis have Medar Nelo movement and so on. All seem to have followed the foot prints of Golgi Bote Late Talom Rukbo who founded Donyi polo Yelam Kebang on 31st December 1986 and Gangging Movement in 1989 to worship Donyipolo in an Organized way. Since then the organized prayer system commenced in Adi community and later other communities also followed it.
The Abotani Tv has been under research about missionary zealots of Dr. Tony Koyu since the year 2021 and found that he has done great jobs to reform the indigenous faith movements especially of GALO community as recently the on 5th December 2024, the GALO community under the aegis of KARGU Gamgi Council have publicly recognized his noble works and felicitated him as the “Founder of KARGU Gamgi” movement in the state of Arunachal state.
The Kargu Gamgi movement is more than just a revival; it’s a tapestry woven from the threads of ancestral wisdom, passed down through generations. It encompasses a complex web of rituals, ceremonies, and beliefs that have guided the Galo people for centuries. The movement finds its roots in the deep respect the Galo community holds for nature, viewing the environment as a living entity pulsating with spirits. These spirits, believed to influence every aspect of life, are appeased through offerings and rituals within the Kargu Gamgi framework.
While the worshipping of the Nature like the Sun and Moon have existed for centuries, however it gained significant momentum in the form of Kargu GAMGI movement and recognition in the 20th century, primarily due to the unwavering efforts of Dr. Tony Koyu.
Dr. Koyu, a visionary leader and scholar, recognized the importance of preserving this age-old tradition had only mobilized assembly of more than 36 senior most Priest known as “Nyibos”. As a result he coined the most powerful spiritual name of “Kargu GAMGI” in presence of most learned 36 Galo Priest on 27th September 2003 in which Reverend Mogi Ori and Tama Romiñ were the main advisers. After lot of research works he came to know that unless and until complex rituals are done away with organized prayer system many would continue to discard indigenous faith for alien religions, as thousands have already embraced under proselytising activities of Missionary people.
He saw the potential of Kargu Gamgi to not only safeguard the cultural heritage of the Galo people but also offer solutions to contemporary challenges.
Dr. Koyu’s journey with Kargu Gamgi began with a deep immersion into the traditional practices of his community to worship the nature. He spent years meticulously documenting rituals, understanding their significance, learning priest language and learning from Galo elders. His dedication for more than 21 years have infact laid the foundation for his mission – to revitalize the movement and share its wisdom with the wider world.
One of Dr. Koyu’s most significant contributions was establishing a formal structure (KARGU GAMGI Mondir at his own cost and expenditures on his private plot and dedicated to Donyi polo followers of Galo community )for the Kargu Gamgi movement. He brought together Galo spiritual leaders, known as Nyibos, (priests)and formed a cohesive body to oversee the movement’s practices and ensure their proper execution. This standardization not only ensured the integrity of the traditions but also fostered a sense of unity and purpose within the Galo community.
Besides, he mobilized and motivated Ex Chief Secretary Mr. T Bam who appreciated his social works and helped to establish Very good KARGU GAMGI structures at Likabali, Basar, Kamba, Liromoba, Aalo and many more with Govt’s fundings. In this way it gained more momentum.
Not only that but he also conducted Orientation trainings on traditional chanting and healing prayers etc besides management of KARGU GAMGI Councils. As a result now many in hundreds have become healers and conducting organized prayer systems.
Not only that he has been conducting discourses on Donyi poloism faith since last 20 years and visited a number of rural villages and established more and more Kargu GAMGIs to preserve Indigenous Faith and culture.
Dr. Koyu’s vision extended beyond mere preservation. He recognized the potential of Kargu Gamgi principles to address contemporary issues like environmental degradation and social conflict.
He believed that the movement’s emphasis on respecting nature could provide valuable insights into sustainable living practices. Additionally, the focus on community harmony within Kargu Gamgi offered a framework for resolving conflicts peacefully.
Dr. Koyu tirelessly advocated for the Kargu Gamgi movement on various platforms. He actively participated in academic conferences, cultural events, and workshops, disseminating knowledge about the movement’s philosophy and practices. He published scholarly articles and books, even philosophy books named “ORMEN” making the wisdom of Kargu Gamgi accessible to a wider audience. Besides he composed devotional songs, tuned them and recorded in studios even trained followers to sing his lyrics for a healing purposes. Over and above he distributed such songs in grass root level on complementary basis.
Dr. Koyu’s unwavering dedication to the Kargu Gamgi movement did not go unnoticed. He received numerous accolades for his efforts, including recognition from national and international institutions. These acknowledgements not only served as a testament to Dr. Koyu’s work but also brought much-needed attention to the movement itself.
The impact of Dr. Koyu’s work continues to resonate within the Galo community and beyond. The Kargu Gamgi movement has flourished under his guidance, attracting young generations interested in reconnecting with their roots. The movement’s emphasis on environmental consciousness has also found resonance with a global audience seeking sustainable solutions.
Dr. Tony Koyu’s legacy is one of unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and innovation. He transformed the Kargu Gamgi movement from a local tradition into a powerful voice for environmental stewardship and social harmony. His tireless efforts ensured that the ancestral wisdom of the Galo people continues to guide not just their community but also offers valuable insights for the world at large.
The Kargu Gamgi movement serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of indigenous traditions. It is a testament to the vital role such movements play in safeguarding cultural heritage and fostering a more sustainable future for all.
Report- Keshav Pathak ( Editor )
