Themes
tribal dance
Rekham Pada Dance Attire, arunachal pradesh
For the Nyokum festival and Rekham Pada dance, Nyishi women and men wear traditional dress that is reminiscent of their cultural heritage. Women wear a par ej, which is an exquisite cotton fabric, along with characteristic jewelry and bamboo-made headdresses. Men have eri or cotton robes that they wear with bead jewelry and a podum headgear that represents heritage. This traditional dress is representative of Nyishi identity, adding meaning to the dance while creating a visually appealing demonstration of Nyishi craftsmanship and identification with their natural surroundings.
The Rekham Pada dance is a cultural highlight of the Nyishi people, danced during the Nyokum festival in Arunachal Pradesh. The name of the festival, with "Nyo" denoting land and "kum" representing gathering, signifies a coming together of the Nyishi people to worship Goddess Nyokum, who is considered Goddess Laxmi for the Nyishis. The dance calls upon uyus or spirits for blessings and prosperity, connecting the Nyishi people's ancient traditions of migration with contemporary celebrations of heritage and community strength.
The Nyishi tribe, native to Arunachal Pradesh, is known for its deeply spiritual connection to nature, traditionally honoring the earth and spirits for prosperity. Their migratory history involved rituals of land cleansing, worship, and animal sacrifices. Today, these practices have evolved into the Nyokum festival, where the Nyishi perform the Rekham Pada dance. The Nyishi people wear traditional garments and adornments and place great importance on community rituals, maintaining a strong cultural identity and connection to their ancestors.
The Rekham Pada dance is performed to the rhythmic sounds of the gunga and talum—traditional instruments central to the Nyishi musical tradition. The dance’s simple yet graceful movements are harmonized with folk songs sung by both men and women, reflecting the Nyishi community’s unity. These instruments, also used in weddings, provide a connection between festive and sacred occasions, ensuring that traditional Nyishi music remains integral to their cultural identity and celebrations across generations.
The Rekham Pada dance is performed during the Nyokum festival, where Nyishi rituals and festivities symbolize unity and cultural pride. The festival concludes with Ashing, a grand feast involving a Mithun sacrificial offering, with meat shared among attendees and horns displayed for social prestige. Rekham Pada and related traditions have endured as an emblem of Nyishi cultural identity and community strength, passed down through generations and reflecting the tribe’s harmonious relationship with nature and ancestry.