Hapa Wood

Hapa Wood

Sobu - Tado —a Festival of the Apatanis of Arunachal Pradesh

Introductory Note:

Unlike those major festivals of the ‘Apatanis’, such as ‘Dree’, ‘Morom’ etc. ‘Sobu-Tado’ is a festival which can be performed without following any hard and fast rules. According to the mythological tradition, ‘Sobu-Tado’ was celebrated by ‘Hapa’ who is considered to be the younger brother of ‘Hipu’ and whose priest was ‘abe Nyibu’. ‘Hapa’ performed this celebrations feeling the importance of worshipping of the ‘Uyu’. Those who wish and desires to celebrate this festival in the form of rites and rituals may perform it according to their convenience and the ‘Sobu-Tado’ festival is generally performed in the month of ‘Morom’ or ‘Mloko-Polo’. However, ‘Sobu-Tado’ cannot be performed after the ‘Mloko’ or ‘Myoko’’ festival.

about sobu-tado:

The celebration of ‘Sobu-Tado’ is always believed to bring about donor’s peace and prosperity. Sometimes, before the actual rites and rituals are performed the donor examines omens, namely ‘Pape-Pikado’ in his own house. This examining of omen is done just to indicate the name of that particular priest (Nyibu), who will be considered to be the most suitable celebrant. Then, it is the duty of that donor to approach that specific Nyibu and to explain everything in detail regarding the purpose of his visit. Next, it is the turn of the ‘Nyibu’ to visit the donor’s house when the omen are again consulted, to determine the suitable month and date for the worship.

It takes the whole day for the ‘Nyibu’ to decide and finalise the matters as well as the affairs. Moreover, the priest (Nyibu) while he is at the house of the donor is fed with rice, apong, meat etc. He goes back to his house only in the evening time. After this, the donor starts collecting fire-wood, rice, apong, meat etc. and he also arranges one ‘Mithun’ that is to sacrificed. Finally, when all the arrangements are made and kept in readiness, the donor informs the priest (Nyibu) about it. On the fixed date, the ‘Nyibu’ wearing his priestly attire, comes to the donor’s house at the cock’s crow or even before it to perform ‘Shikhar Praiho’. This is a ritual which the ‘Nyibu’ performs standing on the ground below the verandah. He sets up a stick on that particular spot which is marked for the ‘Subu-Sikhra’ and thus he starts chanting hymns:-

“Dinu Kumi Dima Jalami Dinu Aksoi Hama Lyankomi

Dipaliranga Dinu Akosee Richi Pibumi Dili Likhla

Khimro Babimi Ditu Likula........”

Next, the priest purifies the place, and prays for the prosperity and expels the ‘Uyu’ from the area. Then, he takes apong in the donor’s house and goes to the lapang of the donor’s clan to perform ‘Suba Kido’. Then, the priest chants again.... viz.

“Sold Aloso Aba Nibongo Beni Yamini Praha dolomi

Sebi Talila Yalo Ka Sekomi Korbi Talila....................”

“I, priest in the name of the ancestor, Nyibu Aba Nibong, conducting this celebration for the peace and prosperity and welfare of this family (names of the host family); please see and make it a success.” The chanting of hymns continues for the whole day; sitting on the lapang the villagers listens and enjoys it. Then, the ‘Sopu-Supundo’ i.e. the purification of the mithun, is done by scattering of ‘rice-flour’ on its head and pouring ‘apong’ on its horns. The lady of the house then pours apong on the mithun’s back, head and neck. Finally, ‘apong’ is offered to all the villagers present over there.

conclusion :

‘Subu Supundo’ follows ‘Subu Lulid’ and the priest carries on chanting. Thus, the celebration of Sobu-Tado is believed to be sacred and brings prosperity and peace especially to the donor. As it is mentioned in the beginning, for the celebration of ‘Sobu-Tadu’, there is no strict rules and regulations.

About the Author

Guptajit Pathak
Head, Faculty of Social Sciences
Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan
Itanagar - 791111
Arunachal Pradesh (India)
Mobile No. 09856274617
Email : guptajitpathak@yahoo.com