Any festival is celebrated to bring happiness to the people’s lives and strengthen the sense of belongingness of a community. Nyishi, a single largest community in the state of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates nyokum as a festival to express the glorious heritage, culture, and traditions. In this contemporary world of composite culture and diverse religious affinity, Nyokum is being celebrated by the nyishi community to express the glorious heritage, culture, and traditions and made it meant to rejoice in special moments of life.

Keeping in view the challenges of changes in the contemporary requirements of the present-day society, Nyishi Indigenous Identity Society (NIIS) intended to publish this Nyokum Manual for uniform celebration with the following perspective that could be considered while celebrating nyokum:

  A) Name of the festival shall be called “ NYOKUM SOONAM” in nyishi & NYOKUM CELEBRATION in English.

  B) Celebration may be carried out without ritual chanting by engaging Priest if celebrated at a community level. However, rituals in the context of personal faith may be practiced in their respective place of worship if wished on an individual level.

  C) NYOKUM is a festival, so, nyokum should not be worshiped as an Almighty or a deity or a god, etc.

  D) Nyokum is a time of joyful celebration where one can seek blessings from their own Almighty God in a special and personal way during the celebration.

  E) Culture, traditions, and customs of the Nyishi should be promoted during the celebration by exhibiting/displaying Nyishi Attire.

  F) To preserve the heritage of identity, emphasis may be given to indigenous culture and

traditional activities of the nyishi tribe.

  G) Emphasis may be given to indigenous games and sports activities of the nyishi tribe.

  H) All indigenous foods and beverages items may be preferred while serving in the community feast. Alcoholic drinks in form of liquor are discouraged to be used on the official menu of the program.

  I) To preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the community, nyokum celebration may be encouraged in every area/village.

  J) Nyokum Altar or Yugw should be called “ NYOKUM SOOGW” instead of Yugw.

  K) Original nyokum altar (Soogw) be erected uniformly in every nyokum celebration.

  L) Observing / believing taboo after the celebration is avoided.

  M) As possible, free and best indigenous food items should be prepared and fed to the masses.

  N) Maximum restrain should be made to commercialize the festival.

  O) Another creative activity is to rest in the wisdom of local organizing committee concerns.