Pongtu Festival 2024: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu extends warm greetings to the Tutsa sisters and brothers celebrating the joyous occasion of the Pongtu festival. He invokes the blessings of God Rangkathok for the state’s happiness, prosperity, and unity, urging everyone to cherish the rich cultural heritage and traditions that bind them together.
The Tutsa people, also known as the Tutsa Naga, are an ethnic group residing in the western parts of Changlang and Khimiyong circles and the eastern part of Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh. With a population of around 25,000 as of 2001, they share close ethnic ties with the Tangsa community.
Central to Tutsa culture is the belief in a supreme being called ‘Rangfrah.’ The Pongtu Kuh festival, a harvest festival, holds significant importance for the Tutsa people. It is marked by various rituals, including the traditional chicken sacrifice known as Rom-Hom, performed to forecast the prosperity of the upcoming year.
Traditionally followers of Animism, some Tutsa individuals have embraced Christianity, leading to the formation of the Tutsa Baptist Churches Council (TBCC).
As Arunachal Pradesh celebrates the Pongtu festival, CM Pema Khandu’s message resonates with the spirit of unity, cultural pride, and communal harmony, reflecting the diverse tapestry of the state’s heritage.
