ITANAGAR, 15 Oct: Highly respected priest and renowned community orator Jiko Leriak Tamin passed away at his residence in Leriak village in Giba circle of Upper Subansiri district on 14 October after a prolonged illness.
He is survived by two wives, four sons, and four daughters.
The Tamin Welfare Society (TWS) extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The executive members of the TWS visited the bereaved family and bid adieu to the mortal remains of the deceased.
Late Tamin was a highly respected priest, a renowned community orator, and an eminent traditional figure among the people of the undivided Giba, Chetam, and Nilling circles under the Daporijo Assembly constituency. One of his most remarkable contributions to the preservation of indigenous faith and cultural heritage was his role as the priest of Si-Donyi Hilo, Daporijo, in 2001, with Kochu Natam Maying serving as his assistant priest.
During the occasion, late Tamin became the first priest from the Tagin community to perform the Si-Donyi Hilo rituals under the Setu-Jolwk system, replacing the traditional flag system. "This transition marked a significant milestone in the history of Si-Donyi Hilo and represented a remarkable development in the observance and preservation of indigenous faith, beliefs, rituals, and cultural heritage. Even after 25 years, this historic change remains a significant chapter in the cultural history of Si-Donyi Hilo," the TWS stated in a release.
Late Tamin dedicated a substantial part of his life to serving society through indigenous religious rituals and priestly responsibilities. His invaluable humanitarian and spiritual services rendered to the community over several decades will remain deeply cherished and respectfully remembered by generations to come, the TWS said.
His mortal remains will be laid to rest at his native village, Leriak, in accordance with traditional customs and rituals.
Late Tamin's legacy of spiritual service, traditional wisdom and dedication to indigenous faith and cultural heritage shall forever remain an enduring source of inspiration for the Tamin society and the Tagin community, the TWS said, and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
