Religion in Arunachal Pradesh

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Religion in Arunachal Pradesh (2011) [1]

   Christianity (30.26%)
   Hinduism (29.04%)
   Donyi-Polo (26.2%)
   Buddhism (11.76%)
   Islam (1.9%)
  Other (0.84%)

Owing to its ethnic and cultural diversity, religion in Arunachal Pradesh has been a spot for the syncretism of different traditional religions. Much of the native Tani populations follow an indigenous belief which has been systematised under the banner "Donyi-Polo" (Sun-Moon) since the spread of Christianity in the region by Christian missionaries in the second half of the 20th century. The province is also home to a substantial Tibetan Buddhist population in the north and northwest who follow Tibetan Buddhism, of ethnic groups who subscribe to Hinduism, [2] and other religious populations. Christianity is followed by over 30.26% of the population, mostly by natives.

Contents

Statistics

Religion in Arunachal Pradesh
Religion2001 [3] 2011 [4]
Christianity 298,761418,732
Hinduism379,000401,876
Buddhism143,028162,815
Islam20,67527,045
Sikhism1,8653,287
Jainism216771
Other (mostly Donyi-Polo)337,399362,553
Not statedn/a6,648
Total1,097,9681,383,727
Religion in Arunachal Pradesh (%)
Religion2001 [3] 2011 [3]
Christianity 18.7230.26
Hinduism34.6029.04
Buddhism13.0311.77
Islam1.881.95
Sikhism0.170.24
Jainism0.020.05
Other (mostly Donyi-Polo)30.7326.20
Not statedn/a0.48

Hindu influence on Donyi Poloism

Ever since the founding of the Donyi Polo religion by Daadi Botté Talom Rukbo, the indigenous religious movement has been heavily influenced by Hinduism. [5] [6] Donyi Poloism, along with other ancient religions, such as Hinduism, share a common belief on nature and the philosophy of maintaining the balance of nature. There was a fear among the followers in the early days of the movement that the religion would be incorporated into Hinduism as a result. This was refuted by Daadi Botté Talom Rukbo himself in a religious conference [7] when he established similarities between Donyi Polo and Bön, ancient Maya religion, Egyptian Ra Sun Worship, Tengri Worship & Japanese Shinto religion; and as such, all the world’s ancient religions share a singular philosophy and are a part of a world community of nature worshippers and thus, asserted the need for a more independent approach. [8] A prominent Donyi Polo worship place in Aalo town is reminiscent of a Hindu temple. External influence upon the local indigenous religious traditions has been met with increasing opposition and severity among the Tani intellectuals. [5]

However a large number of the Donyi Polo followers still identify themselves as Hindu in the Census because the poll does not recognise the indigenous religion and thus, avoid selecting the "others" option. [6]

Buddhism

Buddhism arrived in Arunachal Pradesh in 8th century CE from Tibet. [9]

Christianity

Christians comprise about one-third of the total population of Arunachal Pradesh. [1] Most of these are Roman Catholics, while some are Baptists. There has been a rise in the Christian population of the state. Some say that this is due to conversions, while experts attribute this to the effect of migration on the small population of the state. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itanagar</span> Capital City in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Itanagar is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The seat of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the seat of government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the seat of Gauhati High Court permanent bench at Naharlagun are all in Itanagar. Being the hub of all the major economic bases, Itanagar, along with the adjacent town of Naharlagun, comprise the administrative region of the Itanagar Capital Complex Region. This stretches from the Itanagar Municipal limit at Chandranagar Town extended until Nirjuli Town, and is a major junction of cultural, economic, fashion, education and recreational activities.

The Buguns are one of the earliest recognized schedule tribe of India, majority of them, inhabiting the Singchung Sub-Division of West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. Buguns live in several exogamous clans. Traditionally, the predominant occupation was agriculture, supported with other allied activities like fishing and hunting, cattle rearing etc. Buguns have their own folklores, songs, dances, music and rituals. A rare bird, the Bugun liocichla, was named after the tribe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Kameng district</span> District of Arunachal Pradesh in India

West Kameng is a district of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India. It accounts for 8.86% of the total area of the state. The name is derived from the Kameng river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, that flows through the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyishi people</span> Largest Ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh in north-eastern India

The Nyishi community is the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh in north-eastern India. The Nyishi language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family, however, the origin is disputed. Their population of around 300,000 makes them the most populous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, closely followed by the tribes of the Adi according to 2001 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adi people</span> Ethnic group of Tibet and Northeast India

The Adi people are one of the most populous groups of indigenous peoples in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. A few thousand are also found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where they are called the Lhoba together with some of the Nyishi people, Na people, Mishmi people and Tagin people.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donyi-Polo</span> Indigenous religion of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Donyi-Polo is the designation given to the indigenous religion, of animistic and shamanic type, of the Tani and other Tibeto-Burman peoples of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in Northeast India. The name "Donyi-Polo" means "Sun-Moon", and was chosen for the religion in the process of its revitalisation and institutionalisation started in the 1970s in response to inroads made by Christianity and the possibility of absorption into Hinduism.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Siang district</span> District of Arunachal Pradesh in India

East Siang is an administrative district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aalo</span> District Headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Aalo, formerly Along, is a census town and headquarter of the West Siang district district of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located 137 kilometres (85 mi) from Likabali, which is at the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Talom Rukbo (1937–2001) was the father of Donyi-Polo, a revivalist religious movement based in Arunachal Pradesh which attempts to reconstruct Tani (Adi) animist spirituality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tagin people</span> Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, India

The Tagins are one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, India, a member of the larger designation of Tani Tribes. The Tagins refers to a tribe of Northeast India Region. The Tagins are members of the larger designation of Abotani. Most Tagin are adherents of Donyi-Polo, with a Christian minority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religion in India</span> Religions in the modern nation of India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tribal religions in India</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakke-Kessang district</span> District of Arunachal Pradesh in India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shi Yomi district</span> District of Arunachal Pradesh in India

Shi Yomi district is one of the 23 districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in northeastern India. Shi-Yomi district was created on 9 December 2018 by dividing the West Siang district when northern areas along the China border were made into a newly created Shi-Yomi district and the remaining southern areas remain the part truncated West Siang district. It has its headquarters at Tato.

References

  1. 1 2 "Population by religious community - 2011". 2011 Census of India . Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  2. Katiyar, Prerna. "How churches in Arunachal Pradesh are facing resistance over conversion of tribals". The Economic Times.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total population by religious communities". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  4. "Indian Census 2011". Census Department, Government of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  5. 1 2 Sethi, Nitin (1 May 2014). "RSS turns Arunachal tribals towards Hinduism". Business Standard. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Target northeast: How RSS plans to make region saffron". hindustantimes.com/. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  7. Kumar, Dr N. Dilip (20 March 2014). On Top of the Old Tak. Dorrance Publishing. ISBN   9781480906518.
  8. "Donyi-Poloism taking roots in Arunachal Pradesh | Arunachal Observer". Arunachal Observer. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  9. "Theravada Buddhist Monasteries of Arunachal Pradesh: A Study of Art and Visual Culture".
  10. "Christian population on the rise in Arunachal Pradesh". Hindustan Times. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2019.