Donyi-Polo
Donyi Polo (also Donyi Poloism) is the designation given to the indigenous religion, of animistic and shamanic type, of the Tani and other Tibeto-Burman peoples of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in Northeast India. The name "Donyi-Polo" means "Sun-Moon", and was chosen for the religion in the process of its revitalisation and institutionalisation started in the 1970s in response to inroads made by Christianity and the possibility of absorption into Hinduism.
Flag of the Donyi-Polo religion | |
Donyi-Polo flag seen over a house in Itanagar, indicating that its inhabitants follow the religion. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 360,000–370,000 (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 362,553 |
| Assam | 700–800 |
The religion has developed a congregational system; hymns to be sung, composed in the Tani ritual language of shamans; a formalised philosophy-theology; and an iconography of the gods and temples. The pioneer of the revival was Talom Rukbo. Donyi-Polo is related to the Hemphu-Mukrang religion of the Karbi and the Nyezi-No of the Hruso.