Tarensoba Chang
Social & Cultural Secretary, Chang Wedoshi Setshang
Among the many vibrant festivals of the Naga tribes, Naknyulüm occupies a place of profound reverence in the cultural and spiritual life of the Chang community. More than a seasonal celebration, it is a living testament to our ancestral wisdom, collective memory, and enduring faith. It is a festival that reminds us that no darkness, however overwhelming, can extinguish the hope of light.
The name Naknyulüm itself carries deep meaning. It is derived from two Chang words: “Naknyu”, meaning “Mother of Darkness”, and “Lüm”, meaning “festival”. Together, they symbolize the celebration of humanity's victory over darkness—a victory that transcends the physical world and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.
According to the oral traditions of the Chang Naga, the world was suddenly swallowed by an impenetrable darkness that lasted for days and nights. Life came to a standstill. Farmers were stranded in their fields, hunters were trapped in the forests, travellers lost their way, and families remained confined within their homes. The terrifying darkness, remembered as Nakshou-Naknyu, appeared endless, leaving the people in despair.
Then came a moment that forever changed history.
Amid the suffocating darkness, a courageous man named Namo Molo encountered and killed a mysterious double-tailed tiger. At that very instant, the heavens burst open with radiant daylight, shattering the darkness that had imprisoned the world. Light returned, hope was restored, and humanity rejoiced once again.
To commemorate this miraculous deliverance, the forefathers of the Chang people instituted the festival of Naknyulüm, expressing gratitude to the heavenly powers and pledging that future generations would never forget the day when light conquered darkness.
Traditionally, the Chang ancestors believed in three celestial deities— Sansangla, Lijaba and Shampoli—each possessing unique powers and blessings. During Naknyulüm, prayers and sacred observances were performed to invoke divine protection, prosperity, and harmony, while seeking assurance that darkness would never again overpower mankind.
Naknyulüm is celebrated annually during the last week of July. The festival extends over three days, each reflecting a distinct aspect of community life, tradition, and thanksgiving.
The first day, Wenshi, is dedicated to preparation and purification. Families slaughter mithuns, cattle, and pigs for communal feasts, while women prepare traditional biscuits from sticky rice and millet.
Elders carve Yan (spinning tops) and Kongkin, preserving skills that have been handed down through generations. Aromatic plants known as Ngounam are placed around homes and water sources as symbols of blessing and protection.
The second day, Youchem, celebrates joy, fellowship, and youthful vitality. Traditional games and spinning-top competitions fill the village with laughter. According to ancient belief, heavenly beings descend during the night to receive offerings, reminding the people that gratitude and generosity are among the greatest virtues of humanity.
The final day, Nakseng, embodies gratitude and hope. Before sunrise, the rhythmic beating of the log drum echoes through the village, proclaiming the eternal victory of light over darkness. Elders quietly observe the songs of birds, believing that the first bird to sing carries omens for the coming year. Such customs reflect the intimate relationship between the Chang people, nature, and the Creator.
Unlike many other Naga festivals characterized by exuberant dances and songs, Naknyulüm is marked by solemnity and spiritual reflection. Visitors are traditionally discouraged during the festival, and anyone who inadvertently visits a household is expected to return for the following year's celebration to avert misfortune. These customs emphasize the sacred character of the festival and the collective responsibility of preserving its sanctity.
As we celebrate Naknyulüm this year, let it not be only a festival of feasting and merrymaking. Let it become a time of reconciliation, reflection, and renewal. Let us visit our parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbours, and friends with hearts filled with gratitude. Let us forgive those who have wronged us, seek forgiveness from those whom we have hurt, and restore broken relationships. The true victory of light over darkness begins not only in our traditions but also within our own hearts. When love triumphs over hatred, unity over division, and forgiveness over resentment, the true spirit of Naknyulüm lives on.
To our younger generation, Naknyulüm is more than a holiday—it is a sacred classroom of our identity. Sit with your elders, listen to their stories, learn the meanings behind every custom, every song, every game, and every symbol. Respect them, for they are the living keepers of our history. A people who honour their elders preserve their wisdom, while a generation that forgets its roots risks losing its future.
Likewise, it is the responsibility of every elder to patiently teach and guide the young, passing on the traditions, values, and oral history of our people. Our heritage cannot survive through books alone; it must live in our homes, our conversations, and our celebrations. Every Naknyulüm should become an opportunity for one generation to teach and the next generation to learn, ensuring that the flame of Chang identity is never extinguished.
Naknyulüm is not merely a festival observed once a year; it is the eternal flame of the Chang spirit—a beacon of resilience, faith, forgiveness, unity, and cultural pride. As long as this sacred festival continues to be celebrated with love, respect, and gratitude, the light of our heritage will forever triumph over the darkness of forgetfulness.
