POI SANGKEN

short description

Poi Sangken festival is the traditional new year celebration for Theravada Buddhist communities in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Poi Sangken, also known as Samkyen, is a festival celebrated by the Tai Khamti community, followers of Theravada Buddhism in Arunachal Pradesh and certain areas of Assam. This three-day festivity holds significant importance in the Tai Khamti culture and takes place annually in the month of Naun-Haa (April) according to the Khamti calendar or Ra Ta in the Singpho calendar. Poi Sangken aligns with Baishakh Sankranti and, following the lunar calendar of Theravada Buddhists, Mesha Sankranti marks the commencement of the new year.

Beyond the Khamtis, other tribes like the Tangsa, Khamyang, and Singpho also observe the Sangken festival, typically observed from the 13th to the 15th of April. Poi Sangken serves as a joyous welcome to the Tai New Year, often referred to as the Water Festival, symbolising the arrival of spring, gratitude, and fresh beginnings. Water plays a crucial role in the festivities, being used in rituals and for playful activities.

The celebrations commence with the ceremonial bathing of the Lord Buddha statue, along with other sacred objects like the Bodhi and Sal trees, and Sailik (cords that bind revered religious texts). On the final day, devotees adopt astha sheel or pancha sheel (they are sets of principles followed by Buddhists during observance days and festivals). The Sangken rites continue with devotees pouring water on the hands of the bhikkhus (monks) to seek blessings. Worship, offerings of sweets and food in temples, and the pouring of water on the feet of elders are common practices accompanied by New Year wishes.

The rituals conclude with the abbot placing flowers in trays dedicated to Buddha, Sangha, and Dhamma, reciting Mangala Sutta (a discourse delivered by Gautama Buddha regarding the concept of 'blessings'), sprinkling water on the ground, praying, and reseating Lord Buddha’s idol in the main shrine. Following the third day, tribal communities observe Kapisthi Lu Poi or Nunsi Dabong. During this time, they construct a clay shrine called Kapsithi, installed either on monastery premises or in the village headman’s courtyard. The congregation involves worship, and a community feast, bringing the festival to a close.