Arunachal: Nyishi community celebrates Nyokum Festival, celebrations in Papum Pare district

The Nyishi tribal community of Arunachal Pradesh today observed the Nyokum Festival, which is one of the major local festivals of the state. 

Nyokum festival is an agriculture based festival of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated by the Nyishi tribe. 

The Nyokum festival was celebrated across the state and in Doimukh town of Papum Pare also celebrations and rituals took place in a grand manner. Er Tage Taki the agri-horti minister of Arunachal Pradesh attended the event as Chief guest along with Nabam Rebia, Mp Rajya Sabha, Tana Hali Tara Mla Doimukh, Prof. Tana Showren President Nyishi Elite society, and other community based leaders as guests.

Taki speaking to media urged all to preserve the nature and pray for good agriculture and blessings. "Hindi is a national language but we should use own dialogue whenever we talk to our children to preserve the local language"

Tana Hali Tara, MLA of Doimukh, speaking to media stated that Nyokum is our tradition and represents our culture and we should celebrate it in a grand manner.

Nabam Rebia, MP of Rajya Sabha, speaking exclusively to India Today NE spoke about the significance of Nyokum in Nyishi society. "Its a worship to the nature and welcome to new year and spring season. It has universal application which is celebrated since time immemorial. We pray for well being for entire humanity, living beings and all. We pray for good harvest and for good health. Our young generation started realising the value of tradition and culture and as a result Nyokum being celebrate across the country by our natives staying in other states," he said. 

This festival is based on their cultural heritage. This festival marks the welcome of all the deities on mother earth and they seek their blessings. Goddess Nyokum is worshipped by this community during the festival.

The rituals of the festival take place for many days but the prime sacrifices and gathering starts from February 23rd to 27th. This festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in the state. The term 'Nyokum' literally means 'Nyok' i.e. land and 'Kum' means togetherness. Nyishi tribe almost depends on farms and they get a day-to-day income from harvested food grain. Nyokum is a festival to worship the Goddess so they can harvest plenty of crops and the Goddess survive from floods or droughts. They pray to Goddess Nyokum to save the crops from insects and animals and protect humans from accidents or mishaps.

The festival is also an opportunity for the Nyishis to meet others and cherish the proud heritage of their declining culture. It is a way for the Nyishis to preserve their ancient religion of Donyi Polo during the time of modern influences and the prevalence of other dominating religions.

The Nyishi tribe believes that there exist several deities and spirits on this earth and Oram Nyoko is the place for life after death. They believe that spirits and deities are present in every object and element of nature like the mountains, crops, plants, rivers and all household stuffs whether good or bad ones. Only the Almighty can bless them with prosperity, happiness, and serenity and there should be always concord between humans, God, and nature. Every natural calamity like flood, drought, and unnatural death takes place when the God of nature is not pleased. So they always worship to propitiation the divine God and Goddess to protect from evil spirits so they can intact amity and gladness in life.