Poy Pi Mau Tai festival
The โ€˜Poy Pi Mau Taiโ€™ festival, which marks the New Year of the Tai Khamti community, took place in Namsai with spiritual rituals, traditional music, and cultural performances.

Guwahati: Assam BJP legislator Bolin Chetia attended the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Poy Pi Mau Tai’ festival on Thursday in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district.

The โ€˜Poy Pi Mau Taiโ€™ festival, which marks the New Year of the Tai Khamti community, took place in Namsai with spiritual rituals, traditional music, and cultural performances.

At the ceremony, Bolin Chetia noted that such events play a role in maintaining cultural ties across the Northeast.

He added, โ€œFestivals like this support unity and shared participation.โ€

The three-day festival, based on Tai Buddhist traditions, presents the identity and heritage of the community.

The programme began with traditional prayers, followed by performances reflecting folklore, ancestral customs, and the philosophy of the Tai Khamti community.

Organisers said the festival aims to highlight the values of peace, compassion, and cultural continuity. One of them stated, โ€œPoy Pi Mau Tai is not just a festival; it represents our cultural identity.โ€

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, from the Tai Khamti community, said, โ€œThis celebration highlights the importance of preserving our heritage and traditions for future generations.โ€

Dignitaries, including Minister Dasanglu Pul, MLA Punya Apum, and Moran Autonomous Council CEM Arun Jyoti Moran, were also present.

Assam legislator Bolin Chetia said, โ€œThe cultural programmes displayed here reflect regional connections.โ€

Community leaders noted that the festival may support cultural understanding and strengthen ties between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Manoj Kumar Ojha is a journalist based in Dumduma, Upper Assam, with over 10 years of experience reporting on politics, culture, health, and the environment. He specializes in Assam's cultural and social...