ITANAGAR: Showcasing the rich cultural and academic heritage of Arunachal Pradesh on a global platform, three distinguished academicians from the state presented their research papers at the 13th Malaysia International Conference on Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MICOLLAC-2025) held from August 26 to 28, 2025, at St. Giles Wembley Hotel, Penang, Malaysia. The prestigious conference was organized by University of Putra Malaysia, drawing scholars and researchers from across the globe.
Representing Arunachal Pradesh at this esteemed gathering were:
- Prof. Anga Padu, Department of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, who presented her paper titled “The Role of Mopin in Preserving the Cultural Heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.” Her research highlighted how the traditional Mopin festival serves as a vital instrument in sustaining the indigenous identity and customs of the Galo community.
- Dr. Minu Sono, Assistant Professor, Bini Yanga Government Women’s College, whose paper “Echoes of Identity: The Role of Nyokum in Preserving Nyishi Culture of Arunachal Pradesh” delved into how the Nyokum festival acts as a cultural anchor for the Nyishi people, fostering community solidarity and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
- Dr. Tage Monju from the Department of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, presented a distinctive socio-cultural study titled “The Psycho-Social Experiences of Tattooed Apatani Women in Arunachal Pradesh, India.” Her research explored the lived experiences and cultural significance of traditional facial tattooing among Apatani women. Through the conference, she highlighted to the global audience that Apatani women practised facial tattooing as a form of adornment—an expression of beauty and cultural identity—contrary to external narratives that often misinterpret the practice.
These presentations not only brought international attention to the rich and diverse tribal cultures of Arunachal Pradesh but also emphasized the state’s growing contribution to global academic discourse in the fields of language, literature, and cultural studies.
The participation of these scholars underscores the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems and the role of academia in documenting and promoting cultural heritage.
