DOIMUKH, Feb 27: The 50th Nyokum Yullo here in Papum Pare district was celebrated, albeit without much fanfare, at the Rono ground.
Addressing the people on the occasion, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Saket Kushwaha called upon the community members to promote, preserve and protect their rich cultural heritage and identity.
“Our culture is our identity, and we must preserve and protect it,” he said.
He urged the parents, especially mothers, to encourage their children to wear traditional attires during such festive occasions, and to offer traditional food items
to the participants, saying such acts would go a long way in promoting communal harmony, peace and tranquility among the members.
Expressing sorrow over the recent terror attack on paramilitary forces in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir and the unfortunate death of three youths during the anti-PRC agitation in Itanagar, the RGU VC appealed to all to maintain peace and communal harmony.
“Festivals offer everyone the opportunity to share happiness, besides fostering the sense of unity and brotherhood among all sections of the people,” Prof Kushwaha said.
He also urged the community leaders to document their culture and traditions for posterity, as well as for promotion.
Professor Tana Sowren highlighted the mythology and significance of Nyokum Yullo.
Celebration committee chairman RT Tara, secretary Tana Tachu Tara, and AGS Towa Son also spoke.
An audio album – a remix of old melodies, produced by Jeegam Production – was also released on the occasion.
Architect Tai Bapu was felicitated for designing the Heritage Pillar constructed at the Rono ground to mark the 50th year of Nyokum celebration.
In Nirjuli, addressing a huge gathering of people on the occasion of Nyokum celebration on Wednesday, Nyishi Festival Council (NFC) general secretary Amit Bengia appealed to them to maintain peace and constitute peace committees at ward, sector and panchayat levels by involving bazaar committees, student unions, employees’ associations, women bodies, etc, to bring back normalcy in the capital complex.
Bengia informed that the NFC has directed all Nyokum Yullo celebration centres within and outside the state to refrain from merrymaking and colourful celebrations.
The NFC has, however, directed all the celebration centres to complete the rituals associated with the festival, wherever nyibus (shaman priests) have been invited.
The people came out amid tense situation to perform the rituals associated with Nyokum Yullo at the NFC headquarters in Nirjuli.
Earlier, all the participants observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect those who lost their lives in police firing during the anti-PRC agitation.
