Churches in India, led by National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) celebrated the 'tribal and adivasi Sunday' under the banner "Solidarity in Christ: Bearing One Another's Burdens", drawing attention to the problems faced by these communities since antiquity.
Expositing the theme, Solidarity in Christ: Bearing One Another's Burdens, Skyli Achumi, lecturer in Nagaland, said God has bestowed on all Christians the responsibility to carry the burden of one another.
Indian churches and ecumenical movements including, All Saints Cathedral Church of North India, Nagpur, United Theological College, Bangalore, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam, Trinity Theological College, Nagaland, Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College, Hyderabad, Methodist Church in India, Pakur, Jharkhand, North East Christian Fellowship, Nagpur, Mennonite Church in India, Chattisgarh, Bishop's College, Kolkata, held special Sunday services for tribal and adivasi throughout the month of August.
Solidarity is power that involves sacrifice, said Rev. Dr A. Wati Longchar, Yushan Theological College and Seminary, Taiwan.
Explaining the tribal celebration across India as a call for justice to all creation and to respect the diversity of all creation, Longchar urged Christians to stand together in favour of tribals and adivasis.
Mathingmi Hongchui, Intern of Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi (DATA) Concerns, NCCI, insisted Christians to speak up for the voiceless and guarantee justice for those who are poor and needy.
In Bangalore, the chapel where the services were held had a tribal setup with symbols, images, and songs reflecting tribal culture.
Over the years, tribal and adivasi Sundays have been celebrated in many parts of the country in sensitizing local congregations on tribal and adivasi concerns.
