Need to document rich cultural heritage of NE tribes: Mein

Itanagar, Apr 5 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Rural Works Department (RWD) Minister Chowna Mein has stressed on the need for documentation of the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle of the indigenous tribes of the State as well as the entire North East.

The Minister was speaking here yesterday at a press conference after jointly releasing a book entitled ''The Wanchos in Transition'', authored by Thomas Vattoth, along with State Health and Family Welfare Minister C C Singpho.

Mr Vattoth, a member of the Salesian Society of Don Bosco, spent a decade with the Wancho tribes of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh and worked among them.

The book contains the well-documented first hand experience of the author with the customs, traditions, religious beliefs, rituals, practices and lifestyle of the Wanchos.

The book release function was also attended by MLA and Chairman of the Sports Authority of Arunachal Honchun Ngandam, Commissioner and Secretary Cultural Affairs and Tourism Y D Thongchi among others.

Health Minister C C Singpho, in his speech, praised the author for his contribution to the Wancho people, adding that the society would be benefitted immensely from the book.

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