Arunachal CM Pema Khandu Reaffirms Support for Indigenous Faiths and Traditions

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has reiterated his government’s commitment to protecting and promoting the indigenous faiths and traditions of the state’s tribal communities.

In a social media post shared on Thursday, Khandu described indigenous faiths as the “spiritual and cultural soul” of the people. He emphasized that unlike major religions, these belief systems are deeply rooted in land, memory, and lived experiences, not written scriptures.

“They are not exported, they are rooted. They hold the soul of our people, our forests, mountains, rivers, and ancestors,” the chief minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

To safeguard these unique traditions, the government has launched several initiatives-Six indigenous gurukuls have been set up for Adi, Galo, Nyishi, and Tangsa tribes to promote traditional knowledge through community-led institutions.More than 3,000 registered indigenous priests are now receiving honorariums for their roles in performing rituals, preserving oral traditions, and guiding spiritual practices.

Tribal cultural centres are being developed in each district to serve as spaces for cultural training, documentation, and awareness.50 indigenous prayer centres have been built across the state to provide dedicated spiritual spaces for community members.

“This isn’t just about culture. It’s about who we are,” Khandu said, highlighting that preserving indigenous faiths is key to protecting the identity of Arunachal Pradesh.