A cultural troupe presenting a dance during Naknyulum festival in Tuensang. (Morung File Photo)
‘Naknyu’ means ‘mother of darkness’ and ‘lum’ means ‘festival’. It is believed that the whole world was engulfed in utter darkness for three days and three nights. The darkness was so intense and was considered as Naknyu or ‘mother of darkness’.
The people in Changsang were stranded in fields, jungles and journey and many at home. People were held up wherever they were at that moment. In order to keep the fire burning inside their homes, people were compelled to burn the horns of buffaloes, mithuns, cows and other animals that were hung inside or outside the houses. At such a time when the people were striving hard to overcome the darkness, a man named Namo Molo happened to kill a double tailed tiger amidst the darkness. At that instance, the entire darkness suddenly burst into daylight. To celebrate the victory of light, the forefathers of Changsang resolved to please the gods by celebrating the Naknyu festival symbolising the victory of darkness by light.
The ancient Changs believed that, there were gods, Lijaba, Sansangla and Shampoli, each god with their own powers and blessings.
During the festival, people offer prayers to gods to invoke their blessings with special rituals so that the darkness doesn’t overrule them again. Naknyulum is celebrated every year in the last week of July during moonless night. This festival is firstly pronounced by the elderly person of the Oungh clan and is celebrated for three days and three nights.
On the first day, i.e. ‘Wenshi’ (the preparation day) the women folks prepare flour from sticky rice and freshly harvested millet to make steamed biscuits. The animals for the feast, particularly mithuns and pigs were killed. Ngounam (Ezhehozea, a scented plant) is put in the surrounding of houses and wells to ward off the evil spirits. At night , after the dinner, and before sleep, three pieces of wie (saponaria, a wild nut used as shampoo in ancient days) is placed at the doorsteps with hot ashes placed over it and wait till it bursts out. If it burst and split inside the house, it’s a bad sign and the family would face famine and destruction. But, if it burst and split outside the house, it meant a good and prosperous year ahead.
The second day i.e. ‘Youjem’ (the rest day) is filled with indigenous games of competition, sharing and giving. In the morning, the women would offer rice beer to their brothers, cousins and relatives and vice versa. The youngest in the family would be busy in distributing biscuits and cooked meats for relatives, neighbours and friends. The women folks play kongkin (bamboo mouth organ) and men play the yan (top). Biscuits made of millet is hung high on the pole and both young and old compete to reach and bite it with their mouth with hands folded behind. The competitors were rewarded with rice cakes and goodies. It is believed that the gods during Naknyu comes down to earth in order to collect the yans and wie (tops and saponaria) and hence one piece each of yan and wie is placed at the entrance of the house for the gods at night.
The third day i.e. ‘Nakseng’ determines the fate of the villagers. On this day, the young men beat log drums from dawn till morning, denoting the declaration of the people from coming out of darkness. After this, they wait in attention for the pronouncement by the bird.
It was believed that the kind of bird to chirp first would define the future. If aouminshou (a small bird with blue spots) chirps first, it is considered a good omen as it signifies that the harvest of the year would be plentiful and abundant crop was predicted. If the bird to chirp first is black and white spotted one, then it confirms that many warriors will be born in the village. But, if the first bird to chirp is shopangshou (a small bird with mixed yellow and red feathers) then it announces misfortunes for the people and the village. After a day break, the first thing the villagers do is to clean up their respective wells and ponds. The rest of the day is spent in clearing and constructing the roads to the villages and the fields.
Despite the fun and merriment during the Naknyulum, the festival is signified by the rituals and should be observed strictly. Some significant practices and observations are:
1. Changs do not dance (folk dance) or sing during the festival.
2. No visitors are allowed or entertained at home. If a guest happens to accidentally visit the home, he/she is required to come the following year for the Naknyulum so as to avoid ill omens.
3. All animals booked for the festival are not spared.
4. No marriage and physical sharing is observed even between the husband and wives during the month of the festival.
5. If rain pours during the festival, it is believed that it brings good harvest and fill granary.
6. No house or granary is built during this season.
7. People are restricted from trimming hairs.
8. Exchange of uncooked meat during this festival is strictly prohibited and restricted.
9. Weaving, knitting and handicraft should not be left incomplete or half done during this season.
10. One’s own belongings such as household properties and cultivating tools from the fields or elsewhere are collected and kept at home before the festival, failing which a bad omen will befall the family.
11. It is assumed that on the last night of the festival, the soul of men and women who are destined to die the coming year leaves the person.
12. It is believed that any mistake in observation of the rituals shall cause famine and pestilence in the village.
On the third dawn day, a chicken is released by an eldest Oungh clan at the gates of the village to signify the conclusion of the festival. Thence, normal life begins the following day as usual.
Article issued by Chang Khulei Setshang (Chang Tribal Council)
