Basar Confluence, A Sustainable Showcase of Tribal Culture

Amongst the 7 sisters of North-East, Arunachal Pradesh has the largest area. Yet, it is the state with one of the lowest population densities in India. Two years ago, I made a 14-day tour of this stunning natural beauty visiting the towns of Basar and Mechuka. While Mechuka’s thrust is to build itself up as an adventure sports destination, Basar prides itself as a showcase of the Galo tribe’s culture, tradition, and heritage. The Galo tribe is one of the 26 scheduled tribes of Arunachal.

Basar is about 90 km inside the Inner Line (you need an Inner Line Permit or ILP to visit Basar) and about 110 km from the Assam border. It is a town that comprises 32 villages, all Galo. Every year, Galo people, under the auspices of ‘Gumin Rego Kilaju’ (GRK), organise a festival – Basar Confluence or BasCon. This was the third edition of this unique festival, and hence they called it BasCon 3.0.

Idyllic location of BasCon - the confluence of two rivers, Hei, and Kidi - Travelure ©
Idyllic location of BasCon – the confluence of two rivers, Hei, and Kidi

Basar Confluence 3.0 or BasCon 3.0

This festival stands apart in many ways. For one, Bollywood doesn’t feature here, and that’s a relief. Sustainability is the key theme in all the activities. So, no surprise that it is plastic-free. Galo tribe displayed its culture with gusto for 3 days with over 400 performers and sports persons putting up war and folk dances, traditional Galo singing, showcasing their special-occasion rituals, and some stiffly competed traditional sports like the tug-of-war, archery, and more. Its sheer scale puts some larger event organisers’ efforts to shame, as the local tribesmen put together this entire festival!

To say the initiative of the Galo tribe here floored me would be an understatement. These guys are not just great organisers, they are hospitable, grounded, humble, and replete with a tremendous community feeling. They are not just proud of their traditions but are keeping these traditions alive for their future generations.

Enjoy some glimpses of what I experienced as I tip my figurative hat in deep admiration for the Galo people of Basar!

The Galo traditional dance performance on a bamboo stage put up by the tribesmen - Travelure ©
The Galo traditional dance performance on a bamboo stage put up by the tribesmen
Showcasing Mopin, the harvest festival held on 5th April every year. Mopin, the goddess of fertility and prosperity, is being brought in - Travelure ©
Showcasing Mopin, the harvest festival held on 5th April every year. Mopin, the goddess of fertility and prosperity, is being brought in
Ladies rehearsing Ponu, a traditional Galo Dance - Travelure ©
Ladies rehearsing Ponu, a traditional Galo Dance
Galo warriors escorting the Chief Guest to the venue - Travelure ©
Galo warriors escorting the Chief Guest to the venue across a bamboo bridge built by the tribal folk for the festival
War dance by Galo Warriors - Travelure ©
War dance by Galo Warriors
Skill, strength, determination - all of them needed to climb this oiled bamboo - Travelure ©
Skill, strength, determination – all of them needed to climb this oiled bamboo
A tribal in traditional outfit - Travelure ©
A tribal in traditional outfit
Tug of war between village teams - Travelure ©
Tug of war between village teams
A tribal archer aims for the bull's eye - Travelure ©
A tribal archer aims for the bull’s eye

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