Kamki, Apr 16: The Department of History at Donyi-Polo Government College (DPGC), Kamki, organised a three-day heritage study tour from April 13 to 15 aimed at fostering a deeper academic engagement with the cultural and historical heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.
As part of the BA History (Honours) final semester course on Oral Traditions and Heritage Studies, the tour covered culturally and historically significant sites across Siang, Namsai, Lohit, and Lower Dibang Valley districts. Twenty-five self-funded students participated in the programme, accompanied by assistant professor Duli Ete.
The itinerary included visits to Kekar Monying in Siang district, the Golden Pagoda and Empong village in Namsai, Loiliang in Lohit, and the Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions Cultures and Heritage (RIWATCH) and Bhismaknagar in Lower Dibang Valley. Each site was selected to provide students with insights into the tangible and intangible heritage of diverse indigenous communities.
At Loiliang, students engaged with elders from the Taraon Mishmi community to understand their oral traditions and customary practices. In Namsai, they participated in the Maha Sangken International Festival at the Golden Pagoda, observing traditional Tai Khamti rituals, music, dance, and cuisine. During the event, students also interacted with deputy chief minister Chowna Mein.
The visit to RIWATCH offered perspectives on ongoing documentation and preservation of indigenous cultures, complementing classroom-based theoretical knowledge with field-based learning. The tour concluded with a visit to the archaeological site of Bhismaknagar, enriching students’ understanding of the region’s historical continuum.
The department of history stated that the initiative reflects its continued commitment to promoting experiential learning and building student appreciation for cultural diversity and traditional knowledge systems.
