The picturesque Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh was transformed into a vibrant cultural amphitheatre on Sunday as the Apatani community celebrated the annual Dree festival with unprecedented grandeur, traditional fervour, and large community participation. Bringing together state leaders, top administrative heads, and the general public, the festival was marked by sacred agricultural rituals, spectacular cultural showcases, and visionary new sub-events spread across three prominent venues in the valley. As the primary agricultural festival of the Apatanis, Dree 2026 unified thousands of residents and visitors in offering prayers for a bumper harvest, collective prosperity, and the preservation of indigenous heritage.
This year’s celebrations were characterised by a highly successful multi-ground ecosystem, combining centralised traditional protocols with innovative, localised village celebrations. To accommodate the massive influx of festival-goers and showcase specific facets of contemporary and traditional Apatani life, celebrations were simultaneously anchored across three main venues, each distinguished by prominent leadership and unique agendas. At the Biri Dree ground in central Ziro, organised by the Central Dree Festival Committee (CDFC) with Gyati Anda as chairperson and Taru Majhi as general secretary, the celebration served as the foundational socio-religious hub of the valley, managing core agricultural rituals, community-wide prayers, and the prestigious 59th Central Dree Football Tournament.
The festivities at this central venue were attended by Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and SP Keni Bagra. Concurrently, at the Siilang Ditting Dree ground in Hija village, the Siilang Ditting Dree Festival Celebration Committee (SDDFC), under the leadership of chairman Dani Yubbe, celebrated its 9th localised edition of the festival. Attended by Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing and PHE&WS (WZ) Chief Engineer Toko Jyoti, this venue made history by premiering the first-ever Apatani Fashion Week and hosting the 2026 Academic Excellence Awards by the Hija Officers and Welfare Society to honour local students.
Meanwhile, the Hong Dree ground in Hong village hosted celebrations managed by the local Hong Dree Festival Committee, focusing heavily on authentic heritage preservation in one of the largest traditional Apatani villages. Attended by Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak, the highlights at Hong included massive community-wide feasts, indigenous sports, and highly localised traditional musical showcases, most notably the iconic Konchi Danyi vocal performances. A defining milestone of Dree 2026 was the official debut of the Apatani Fashion Week, hosted under the leadership of SDDFC chairman Dani Yubbe, at the Hija village celebration.
The initiative successfully merged age-old textile traditions with modern design aesthetics, drawing high praise from Tasing, who commended the organising committee for blending cultural preservation with youth empowerment and contemporary creative arts. The events were further elevated by the joint presence of the zilla parishad chairpersons of Keyi Panyor and Kra Daadi districts, the ZPM of Yazali, panchayat leaders, former minister Padi Richo, the president of Tagin Cultural Society, local gaon buras and buris, and senior citizens. Concluding the valley-wide festivities, SDDFC vice chairman Nada Tagio and representing leaders from the CDFC extended gratitude to the district administration, volunteers, and artists.
The committees jointly appealed to the global Apatani diaspora and local youths to ensure sustained collaboration to guarantee that the spirit of unity, hospitality, and profound respect for nature defining the Dree festival continues to thrive for generations to come. The Apatani community residing in Upper Subansiri district also celebrated Dree festival with great enthusiasm in headquarters Daporijo on Sunday. The event witnessed the participation of dignitaries, community leaders, government officials, and members of the public, reflecting the spirit of unity, tradition, and cultural pride.
Addressing the gathering, Daporijo MLA Taniya Soki praised the Apatani community for its remarkable intelligence, discipline, and progressive outlook. He compared the Apatani society with the Japanese, stating that both societies have achieved significant progress while remaining deeply rooted in their rich cultural heritage and traditions. Dumporijo MLA Rode Bui lauded the resilience and hardworking nature of the Apatani community, and highlighted the community’s immense contribution to the development of Arunachal Pradesh, noting that many distinguished officers, civil servants, and government officials belong to the Apatani community.
He encouraged the younger generation to uphold the values of dedication, perseverance, and cultural pride that have earned the community widespread respect. SP Pawan Kumar Yadav appreciated the rich cultural heritage, discipline, and harmonious way of life of the Apatani community, and acknowledged the community’s invaluable contribution to the socioeconomic development of the state. He encouraged everyone to continue preserving their unique traditions while fostering peace and communal harmony.
The programme featured a series of colourful cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions, music, dances, and customs of the Apatani community. Traditional songs, dances, and cultural presentations enthralled the audience and highlighted the community’s enduring commitment to preserving its heritage for future generations. The celebration concluded on a joyous note, with the participants reaffirming their commitment to safeguard the rich cultural legacy of the Apatani community while strengthening the bonds of unity and mutual respect among the diverse communities of Upper Subansiri district.
