DAPORIJO, Oct 15: Veteran priest and respected traditional figure of the Tagin community, Jiko Leriak Tamin, passed away at his residence in Leriak village under Giba circle in Upper Subansiri district on October 14 following a prolonged illness. He was known for his spiritual service and contributions to the preservation of indigenous faith and cultural heritage.
Late Tamin was a revered priest, community orator and traditional figure among the people of the erstwhile Giba, Chetam and Nilling circles under Daporijo Assembly Constituency. He is survived by two wives, four sons and four daughters. Among his sons is Advocate Tambo Tamin, who served as secretary general of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh.
One of his significant contributions to indigenous religious traditions was his role as priest during the SI-DONYI HILO festival at Daporijo in 2001, with Kochu Natam Maying serving as assistant priest. The festival was held under the chairmanship of former minister Late Tadak Dulom, while Er Taanu Tamin, then Chief Engineer of the Rural Works Department, served as secretary.
During the occasion, Late Jiko Leriak Tamin became the first priest from the Tagin community to perform the SI-DONYI HILO rituals under the SETU-JOLWK system, replacing the traditional Flag System. The transition marked a significant milestone in the history of the festival and the preservation of indigenous faith, beliefs and rituals.
He was also remembered for his traditional warrior role in raids, known as Nyemak Panam, and his knowledge of indigenous hunting practices, reflecting the historical traditions and way of life of his community.
Throughout his life, Tamin devoted himself to religious and priestly responsibilities, providing spiritual guidance and serving the community through indigenous rituals and traditions. His contributions are expected to remain an enduring part of the cultural heritage of the Tamin Society and the wider Tagin community.
The Tamin Welfare Society (TWS), in a condolence message, expressed profound grief over his demise and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Members of the society also visited the family to pay their last respects.
The society described his death as an irreparable loss to the Tamin Society and the community at large, and prayed to Almighty Anv Donyi to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to overcome the loss.