Festival of Nyokum

Yugang –

Main prayer structure of the Nyishi is made of bamboo, known as Yugang where sacrifice is tethered. Often one finds small chickens hung in Yugang. In Nyokum, priests specify a number or kind of animals for sacrificial activities. Nyubh are priests of Nyishi, they have no idol in this form of worship. Beside animal offering, millet beer and rice paste are utilised.

Attire and customs at Nyokum –

Men wear traditional clothes at this festive time. Eri robe, a cotton fabric is worn around the shoulders with beads of semi precious stones. Decorated woven cap of bamboo with feathers, furs of wild animals & beak of hornbill is worn as ornament. On this festival, Par Ej is worn with earrings & beads by all the women included on these Nyishi festival, Nyokum.

There is singing and dancing. Head priest with all of his attendants perform the main ritual. Rice paste powder or beer of millet are given. Usually, women and men hold hands in a circular form and sing while dancing with a common line “Nyokum bo tapa debe.”, and sometimes even mock fights with dao and shield made of animal hide are used.