Itanagar, February 26 (MExN): The US Consulate General Kolkata, in association with non-profit Contact Base and the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, released a book titled ‘The Arunachalis - Living with Nature’, documenting the cultural heritage of 17 indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh today, February 24 at the State Guest House Itanagar.
Advisor to Minister of Tourism Arunachal Pradesh, Laisam Simai, and Melinda Pavek, US Consul General in Kolkata jointly released the unique book.
Supported by the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) of the U.S. Department of State, the release of this book is part of a larger project titled, “Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Lifestyle of Indigenous People in Arunachal Pradesh for Sustainable Development”, which, with community participation, documented the living traditions of 17 indigenous communities of this Northeast Indian state through 18 films, a website: www.arunachallivingheritage.com, and the Coffee Table Book.
The U.S. Consulate Kolkata-led initiative, implemented by non-profit Contact Base, aims to empower the communities of Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state of Northeast India, to safeguard their rich bio-cultural heritage through this project.
As the Guest of Honor, U.S. Consul General Melinda Pavek said, “As a part of the United States-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, it’s important also to highlight the wealth of stories and experiences that come together to make our societies what they are today.”
The field research for the book was facilitated by the Dept. of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Many of the villages documented are in remote areas of the state and the district tourism officers facilitated community consensus building and planning for sharing and showcasing cultural heritage elements during the workshop. The project engaged more than 450 community representatives in mapping and actively participating in the documentation and conservation process through workshops across 39 locations.
Arunachal Pradesh communities actively bear and practice traditional knowledge systems, lifestyles, and livelihoods with a deep-rooted relationship with nature. Despite having different origins and language they share a common heritage of faith based on nature. The book documents the rich cultural diversity, the nature-culture journey of the people, and their safeguarding and conservation efforts. The book has 11 chapters depicting the cultural landscapes, cuisines, architecture, dress and ornaments, weaving, tools and technology, faith and festivals, and heritage safeguarding of the 17 communities.
In September 2022, the U.S. Mission in India joined representatives from the Ministry of Tourism’s Northeast Regional Office and UNESCO’s International Information and Network for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific to celebrate the cultural heritage of the indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh in New Delhi. In December 2021, the United States had launched this project through the AFCP to work with tribal members from 39 villages across the state to preserve and document their heritage through a series of short documentary films.
Laisam Simai, Chief Guest of today's book launch, in his address said, "Although we are diverse in our cultures and history, yet we have a united identity as Arunachalis."
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