NYAPIN, Mar 3: Nyokum Yullo was celebrated with traditional gaiety and religious fervour here in Kurung Kumey district.
It was a historic occasion as Nyokum was celebrated together by the people of the four administrative circles under Nyapin assembly constituency after a gap of more than 36 years.
Nyapin ADC Kento Riba in his address appealed to the community members to preserve their age-old culture and traditions.
“Nyokum Yullo is being celebrated since time immemorial for prosperity, a bumper harvest, and preservation of the forest and water bodies too. Indeed, it is celebrated for the wellbeing of humankind. It is the responsibility of every indigenous person to preserve and maintain it for the generations to come,” he said.
Riba also stressed on the importance of aqua-ranching, and assured to extend help for aqua-ranching of the Paniu, Kedding, Paniye and Palu rivers.
DFO Gyamar Nima appealed to the young generation to take the responsibility of promoting and preserving their rich culture and traditions.
Expressing concern over the gradual extinction of wild animals “due to massive hunting in the areas,” Nima appealed to the villagers to shun wildlife hunting.
He promised to protect the wildlife habitat from encroachers, and sought the cooperation of villagers, gaon burahs, elite groups and the younger generation in his endeavour.
Festival organizing chairman Tadar Mangku elaborated the mythology of Nyokum Yullo. He informed that Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Dirang MLA Phurpa Tsering and other dignitaries could not join the celebration due to the unprecedented law and order problem in the state capital.
Mangku also appealed to the people to maintain peace and tranquility and pray for peace of the departed souls. “May Ane Nyokum bestow enough strength to the grieving families,” he said.
Organising secretary Gyamar Tachung said Khandu, Tsering and RWD Minister Bamang Felix, who were supposed to join the celebration from 25 February onwards, could not make it due to “creeping up of unprecedented law and order problems in Itanagar, and inclement weather condition.”
He conveyed the greetings and best wishes from the CM to the people of Nyapin assembly constituency.
More than 400 cultural troupes performed the traditional Buya dance on 26 February.
Cultural events, such as group dances, group songs, plays, a fashion show and Miss and Mr Nyokum started on 20 February. Tarh Mema and Gyamar Bai were adjudged Miss Nyokum and Mr Nyokum 2019, respectively.
In the sports events, which started on 19 February, Phassang circle lifted the men’s football and volleyball championships and took away the trophies along with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh in each competition. Nyapin circle was the runner-up and won the trophies along with cash prize of Rs 50,000 in each tournament. Phassang Tama was declared the best player in football.
In women’s volleyball, Nyobia circle won the championship and walked away with the cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and trophy. The runner-up, Phassang circle, was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 with a trophy. In women’s football, Nyapin circle won the trophy and was awarded with cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, while runner-up Phassang circle walked away with cash prize of Rs 50,000.
In the ‘best Namlo construction competition’, Nyobia won the award of Rs 20,000. Sangram and Phassang circles bagged the 2nd and 3rd position, respectively, according to a release issued by the festival’s organizing secretary Gyamar Tachung.
