BROAD
GUIDELINES FOR CELEBRATION OF NYOKUM YULLO 2015
In pursuant to the decision of the Central Nyokum Committee (CNC) executive body meeting held at Pachin colony, Naharlagun under the chairmanship of Shri Bengia Tolum, chairman, CNC, on monday, 16.12.2013 from 17.30 Hrs, the broad guidelines for celebration of the Nyokum Yullo-the grandest festival of the Nyishi community is hereby circulated as under-
1. CNC logo: The house approved slight modification to the existing CNC logo, wherein has been decided that the name of the organization “Central Nyokum Committee” shall be inscribed conspicuously in upward semi circular band at the bottom of the logo. The modified logo shall be widely circulated and made available online.
2. Website, audio-visuals & prints: To ensure sufficient stock of flag song CDs, flags and copies of mythology in order to support and guide the local Nyokum celebration committees, efforts shall be made to make it available online on the CNC website/blog, social networking sites etc.
The Secretary (Finance) CNC shall acquire and dispose such stocks on nominal cost of inputs on the principle of ‘no profit; no loss’ basis and work in close tandem with the Assistant Secretary (Publicity). Shri Tai Gungte, Assistant Secretary (Publicity) shall design, regulate and maintain the CNC website/blog for which financial support shall be rendered by the Secretary (Finance).
3. Flag hoisting: The flag hoisting shall take place from 7.00 am to 10.30 am on 24th February after arrival of the priest, ritual sacrifice slated on 26th February and Ragha/ Gama (ceremonious farming) on 27th February and priest retreats after Ragha. Dapo (prohibition procession- restricting inward and outward movement of man & animal in the village or a place) shall be taken out on 28th February; however, Dapo is not enforceable in this modern hectic era.
The hoisting of Nyokum flag at Nyokum Lapang, Itanagar and Nyikum Nyia Complex, Nyirubjolli on 24th February shall be done by the Chairman (or) Vice-Chairman (or) General Secretary, Central Nyokum Committee depending on their convenience and availability (or) any CNC executive members authorized & deputed for the purpose by them in their absence, which shall be duly communicated to the local celebration committee in advance. The chairman, CNC shall hoist the Nyokum flag wherever he attends the Nyokum celebration.
4. Other celebration modalities, & advisory note::
The celebration modalities and restrictions enunciated earlier shall continue to be in force. Some key issues has been further discussed and decided as follows-
a) Bead restriction/limitation:: The traditional beads/head shall continue to be limited to five chains.
b) Traditional attire:: All main Yullo participants (Ritual participants, Yullo Torri jobu, Gerr Geybu etc.) shall be in complete traditional attire, preferable with eri chadar (letum/Perr eji). They are exempted from five chains bead restriction. For other participants, fully or partially clad Nyishi dresses like letum/perr eji, pomo, tunam (traditional muffler), byopa, nara, uriuk, tasang, jacket etc, for gents; gale, dumping, hohi, push, tasang etc., for women folk are advisable. Children below maturity age are not recommended for wearing symbol of maturity status like, byopa, tangdung etc.
c) Limitation on animal sacrifice on rituals:: CNC discourages wanton slaughter of mithun for feast except for ritual sacrifice, taking into account the need for conservation of mithun which commands utmost relevance to the social life of the Nyishis.
d) Social taboos:: It is advisable that the constituent members of the community shall not venture into fishing, hunting and farming for atleast five days from the date of ritual sacrifice, i.e., 26th February up to 3rd March and 2nd March in leap-year.
e) Gambling:: Gambling of any kind like dice, housie, playing cards etc, shall be strictly prohibited during the peak Nyokum celebration periods from 20th to 28th February in order to keep up the sanctity of the festival in the vicinity of the celebration area. However, housie as a part of fund raising activity for the local organising committees may be allowed subject to completion of such event before 20th February.
f) Distorted presentation of rich cultural heritage ::
· It shall be the endeavour to refrain from distorted presentation of rich cultural heritage of Nyishis.
· Ensure that only Nyishi traditional dances and songs are presented in cultural events.
· In the sports events, traditional sports shall be accorded preference.
· In the Nyokum celebration centres where Nyokum is not celebrated in complete traditional aspects with rituals, the local committee shall NOT invite non-Nyishi as chief guest or other special guests so that wrong impression on the grand festival of the community is not portrayed outside.
5. Oral Nyokum education:: The house felt the need to impart education regarding the essence of Nyokum to the young generation. The CNC shall initiate steps to identify touring teams of resource persons for conducting workshops on Nyokum in schools and general grounds.
6. Observers:: The Central Nyokum Committee may depute its executive members as observers. It shall be onus on the part of the respective local committee to extend transportation, Fooding & lodging and necessary sitting arrangement in the celebration centre.
7. All religion meeting:: CNC shall convene joint meeting of all religions and religious sects of the members of Nyishi community to carry forward the need of its constituent members of different faiths to come together and contribute meaningfully in preservation of our age old rich tradition and culture in true spirit. Whatever may be the faith, profession, sex, region (or) religion, etc., but, ‘NYOKUM’ and ‘NYISHI’ is an inseparable entity and so the need to convene.
8. Expenditure on Nyokum festival celebration:: The height and grandeur of the festival shall be decided by the local celebration committee taking into account of their capacity. CNC discourages exorbitant budget and forceful donations.
9. Cap exorbitant price of food items & beverages:: The local celebration committees shall strictly regulate the price tag of food items & local beverages in the Nyokum food stalls to a reasonable and affordable ceiling and ensure festivities with limited personal budget of the individuals.
10. Ban on wild meat in food stalls:: Wild animal meat and fowl shall not be allowed in the food stalls for sanctity of the festival as well as; as a step towards preservation of fauna and flora.
The copy of this guidelines shall be circulated to all the executive members of Central Nyokum Committee (CNC), particularly to the district in-charge Secretaries for wide circulation to all the celebration centres of their respective jurisdiction for strict compliance to the broad guidelines given above.
In pursuant to the decision of the Central Nyokum Committee (CNC) executive body meeting held at Pachin colony, Naharlagun under the chairmanship of Shri Bengia Tolum, chairman, CNC, on monday, 16.12.2013 from 17.30 Hrs, the broad guidelines for celebration of the Nyokum Yullo-the grandest festival of the Nyishi community is hereby circulated as under-
1. CNC logo: The house approved slight modification to the existing CNC logo, wherein has been decided that the name of the organization “Central Nyokum Committee” shall be inscribed conspicuously in upward semi circular band at the bottom of the logo. The modified logo shall be widely circulated and made available online.
2. Website, audio-visuals & prints: To ensure sufficient stock of flag song CDs, flags and copies of mythology in order to support and guide the local Nyokum celebration committees, efforts shall be made to make it available online on the CNC website/blog, social networking sites etc.
The Secretary (Finance) CNC shall acquire and dispose such stocks on nominal cost of inputs on the principle of ‘no profit; no loss’ basis and work in close tandem with the Assistant Secretary (Publicity). Shri Tai Gungte, Assistant Secretary (Publicity) shall design, regulate and maintain the CNC website/blog for which financial support shall be rendered by the Secretary (Finance).
3. Flag hoisting: The flag hoisting shall take place from 7.00 am to 10.30 am on 24th February after arrival of the priest, ritual sacrifice slated on 26th February and Ragha/ Gama (ceremonious farming) on 27th February and priest retreats after Ragha. Dapo (prohibition procession- restricting inward and outward movement of man & animal in the village or a place) shall be taken out on 28th February; however, Dapo is not enforceable in this modern hectic era.
The hoisting of Nyokum flag at Nyokum Lapang, Itanagar and Nyikum Nyia Complex, Nyirubjolli on 24th February shall be done by the Chairman (or) Vice-Chairman (or) General Secretary, Central Nyokum Committee depending on their convenience and availability (or) any CNC executive members authorized & deputed for the purpose by them in their absence, which shall be duly communicated to the local celebration committee in advance. The chairman, CNC shall hoist the Nyokum flag wherever he attends the Nyokum celebration.
4. Other celebration modalities, & advisory note::
The celebration modalities and restrictions enunciated earlier shall continue to be in force. Some key issues has been further discussed and decided as follows-
a) Bead restriction/limitation:: The traditional beads/head shall continue to be limited to five chains.
b) Traditional attire:: All main Yullo participants (Ritual participants, Yullo Torri jobu, Gerr Geybu etc.) shall be in complete traditional attire, preferable with eri chadar (letum/Perr eji). They are exempted from five chains bead restriction. For other participants, fully or partially clad Nyishi dresses like letum/perr eji, pomo, tunam (traditional muffler), byopa, nara, uriuk, tasang, jacket etc, for gents; gale, dumping, hohi, push, tasang etc., for women folk are advisable. Children below maturity age are not recommended for wearing symbol of maturity status like, byopa, tangdung etc.
c) Limitation on animal sacrifice on rituals:: CNC discourages wanton slaughter of mithun for feast except for ritual sacrifice, taking into account the need for conservation of mithun which commands utmost relevance to the social life of the Nyishis.
d) Social taboos:: It is advisable that the constituent members of the community shall not venture into fishing, hunting and farming for atleast five days from the date of ritual sacrifice, i.e., 26th February up to 3rd March and 2nd March in leap-year.
e) Gambling:: Gambling of any kind like dice, housie, playing cards etc, shall be strictly prohibited during the peak Nyokum celebration periods from 20th to 28th February in order to keep up the sanctity of the festival in the vicinity of the celebration area. However, housie as a part of fund raising activity for the local organising committees may be allowed subject to completion of such event before 20th February.
f) Distorted presentation of rich cultural heritage ::
· It shall be the endeavour to refrain from distorted presentation of rich cultural heritage of Nyishis.
· Ensure that only Nyishi traditional dances and songs are presented in cultural events.
· In the sports events, traditional sports shall be accorded preference.
· In the Nyokum celebration centres where Nyokum is not celebrated in complete traditional aspects with rituals, the local committee shall NOT invite non-Nyishi as chief guest or other special guests so that wrong impression on the grand festival of the community is not portrayed outside.
5. Oral Nyokum education:: The house felt the need to impart education regarding the essence of Nyokum to the young generation. The CNC shall initiate steps to identify touring teams of resource persons for conducting workshops on Nyokum in schools and general grounds.
6. Observers:: The Central Nyokum Committee may depute its executive members as observers. It shall be onus on the part of the respective local committee to extend transportation, Fooding & lodging and necessary sitting arrangement in the celebration centre.
7. All religion meeting:: CNC shall convene joint meeting of all religions and religious sects of the members of Nyishi community to carry forward the need of its constituent members of different faiths to come together and contribute meaningfully in preservation of our age old rich tradition and culture in true spirit. Whatever may be the faith, profession, sex, region (or) religion, etc., but, ‘NYOKUM’ and ‘NYISHI’ is an inseparable entity and so the need to convene.
8. Expenditure on Nyokum festival celebration:: The height and grandeur of the festival shall be decided by the local celebration committee taking into account of their capacity. CNC discourages exorbitant budget and forceful donations.
9. Cap exorbitant price of food items & beverages:: The local celebration committees shall strictly regulate the price tag of food items & local beverages in the Nyokum food stalls to a reasonable and affordable ceiling and ensure festivities with limited personal budget of the individuals.
10. Ban on wild meat in food stalls:: Wild animal meat and fowl shall not be allowed in the food stalls for sanctity of the festival as well as; as a step towards preservation of fauna and flora.
The copy of this guidelines shall be circulated to all the executive members of Central Nyokum Committee (CNC), particularly to the district in-charge Secretaries for wide circulation to all the celebration centres of their respective jurisdiction for strict compliance to the broad guidelines given above.
