Donyi Polo

The Tani peoples of Arunachal, the Adi, Galo, Nyishi, Apatani, Tagin and Mishing, all trace descent from the ancestor Abotani, and the name Donyi-Polo, meaning Sun-Moon, was later given to their animist beliefs. These were a local oral tradition of myths, with no scripture, priestly hierarchy or fixed shrines.

Shamans called nyibu performed the rites in village or household, raising an altar only when needed and taking it down afterwards. Donyi, the Sun, was addressed as Mother and Polo, the Moon, as Father and were called on to witness the truth and punish liars. The Minyong and Padam Adi told of a creator, Sedi, whose eyes became the Sun and Moon; the Galo called him Jimi.