Karbi indigenous faith believers congregate in Diphu

DIPHU — Thousands of ‘Aronbarim,’ the Karbi indigenous faith believers, congregated at Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex, 5th Mile, Diphu, to propagate their traditional faith on the theme ‘Nim isi, ning isi’ (one believe, one mind).

The mass gathering was organised by the Karbi Aronbarim Chingrum Amei Organising Committee. This is the first time that the Karbis following the indigenous faith had organised such a massive gathering.

The Aronbarims from Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, other districts of Assam and Northeastern states including Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, participated in the rally.

The sports complex was packed with men, women, youths and children with women and girls dressed in Karbi traditional costumes of ‘pini, pekok and vamkok,’ while men and boys were attired in ‘seleng, choi hongthor and poho.’ 

Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attended the event, said that “The rich cultural traditions of the Karbis developed and spread from Rongkhang. Socheng, Mukhim, Pitong, Tamuk, Ronghang-Rongbong, etc, 12 centres in all in which the Karbis have developed traditions, culture and tradition. Rangsina Sarpo, Rukasen, Thong Nokbe, etc heroes and luminaries were born in Rongkhang.”

 “The Karbis have known the Ramayan in the form of Sabin Alun. In Karbi tradition the number nine hold a significant importance. Before numerology was prevalent, the Karbis belief of holding the number 9 in importance proves that the tribe has the knowledge of numbers,” the chief minister added.

Former MLA and adviser of the organising committee, Dharamsing  Teron, informed that not less than 50,000 Karbi Aronbarim believers including at some 10,000 kurusars (Karbi traditional priests) attended the event.

Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang, in his speech, said that for preservation and development of Karbi Aronbarim, 5000 bighas of land in Karbi Anglong and 2000 bighas in West Karbi Anglong, will be allotted by the KAAC.

The proposed sites will house offices for men, youth and women organisations of Karbi Aronbarim. Plantation of indigenous species of trees including different species of bamboo and wild bananas will be taken ip, he said.

The KAAC will allocate an annual budget of INR100 crores for the purpose of Karbi Aronbarim, Ronghang said.

Earlier, the chief minister also inaugurated projects worth INR168 crore in Diphu town.

Also read: December sees 1252 rakes unloaded across NFR jurisdiction