Owing to its ethnic and cultural diversity, Arunachal Pradesh has long been a spot for the syncretism of different traditional religions. As of today, 40% of the state population follow the Donyi-Polo and Rangfrah religions, with 37% adhering to Hinduism. Buddhists, Christians and Muslims accout for the remainder.

Animism

Animism is practiced in the form of Donyi-Polo by those tribals of Tibetan origin, and a similar Rangfrah by tribals of Thai-Burmese origin. Together, they constitute half of the state’s population, although they have been in decline in terms of self-adherents owing to recent Hindu influence and Baptist fundamentalism.

The Donyi-Polo faith was formed in order to unify all the Animistic beliefs of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Followed a little more than half of the population, Donyi-Poloism was formed in the recent years as a result of standing against Christian influences that were seriously hurting the cultural traditions of the people. To counteract these problems, the chief minister Gegong Apang has established the Donyi-Polo missionary to spread the religion to all people within the region. [1]

The adherents worship an array of nature-related gods and highly complexed rituals, which showed elaborate art forms passed down through many generations.

Buddhism

After Donyi-Polo, Buddhism lay claim to about 15% of the state’s population. While Tibetan Buddhism is mainly practised by tribes living near the Tibetan border and in the Western part of the state, Theravada Buddhism is practised by tribal groups of Thai-Burmese origin living in Lohit and Changlang.

Theravada Buddhism is followed by the Thai-Burmese Khampti, Singpho, Zekhring and the Chakma refugees living in Lohit, Changlang and Tirap. The Tangsas, on the other hand, practice a blend of Donyi-Polo and Theravada Buddhism. However, with the advent of the rebel NSCN led by the Christian Naga, the local population faces a great danger upon their Buddhist heritage that has been passed down through many generations.

On the other hand, their Tibetan Buddhist counterparts, are relatively safer compared to the Theravada Buddhist counterparts owing to their geographical location. Mainly followed by the Monpa and Sherdukpen populations of Tawang and West Kameng, Buddhism lay claim to be the most widely followed religion in these two districts. Neighbouring tribes like the Miji and the Khowa have also come under Buddhist influence.

A significant proportion of the Buddhist in Arunachal Pradesh lay claim to the Tibetan refugees.

Hinduism

Followed by about 30% of the state population and witnessing the highest growth rate of all religions, Hinduism is followed by the Nocte, Miri, Mikir tribes and recent Indian immigrants, who now constitute the main arm of the Hindu adherents. Presence and influence of the Animist Donyi-Polo religion is prevalent among the indigenious tribes. The Aka, on the other hand, are also influenced by certain aspects of Hindu beliefs as well.

Of late, Hinduism is becoming increasingly strongly rooted to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, as the Indian immigrants and missionaries are actively promoting Hinduism among the tribal people, notably the Nocte.