According to Nyishi mythology, there were three phases before the creation of the universe: emptiness (Miim-Mama), followed by Kullu and Kurium. There are three schools of thought about the creator: Jingbu-Pabu Abu, Kullu-Kurium, and Poyub and Nyayub. All believe a spirit called Chene Rulum-Dola was used to create the universe. Jingbu-Pabu Abu summoned powers through mystical means to create the present-day universe, populating it with living beings, earth, sky, water, sun and moon. The universe is divided into the earth (Sachang), sky (Nyudo), and spirit

1. MYTHS OF THE NYISHIS
ON
THE CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF UNIVERSE
According to Nyishi mythology, before the creation or evolution of universe,
there was emptiness and nothing was existed. This particular phase was called
Miim-Mama. After the phase of Miim-Mama there were two concurrent phases which
were called as Kullu and Kurium.
Among the Nyishis, there are three different hypotheses/stories of the creator
or the supreme power that creates the entire universe and its components is
concerned. In other words, there are three schools of thought relating to the origin
and evolution of the universe (Changte-Dote/Nya ballah barnam) including the human
race. One school of thought is, that believe in Jingbu-Pabu Abu as a creator, the
second one is, that who name the creator as Kullu-Kurium, while, the third one is,
that believe that the creation was through Poyub and Nyayub. First two are almost
identical as their difference is just only in the name creator but the third one is little
bit different even in the context of evolution process. However, all the three accept
the belief that a miraculous spirit called Chene Rulum-Dola was used to create the
universe and its components. Among the Nyishis, Jingbu-Pabu Abu as a creator is
much admired.
Out of oblivion/nothingness in the beginning, the universe was created in a
fraudulent or messy shape. This artistic process of universe is explained in the
following phrases as:
Sachang Ngarngum Tapam Rulum,
Nyudo Ngarngum Tapam Rele,
Rulum Rele Pepa,
Ho…Riumrium Riamriam Pepa…
[The whole universe was in fragile state and was seems like a snow-capped
objects. And there was a droplet of water everywhere as if it was floating on a
leaves].
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2. In such circumstances, Jingbu-Pabu Abu summoned his supremacy through
diverse mystical means to create and evolve the present-day universe. It is
noteworthy here that the Nyishis always been attached the creator as a male figure,
which can be easily or clearly realise from the very suffix word Abu (father). Initially,
the Lawngkh Chene Dola and Jingkio-Urh Chene Dola were called upon to furnish a
tangible or substantial figure to the universe. The Kawmkh Chene Dola was engaged
to create Sachang (earth), whereas through Kamchang Chene Dola the living beings
including the man and animals were created. Invoking with the power of Dote Chene
Dola, the heaven was created. The Ish (water) was created with the help of Kela
Hariak Chene Dola. Biyang Chene Dola was invoked to create Donyi (sun), while Paa
Chene Dola was engaged for the creation of Polu/Polo (moon). After the creation of
major components of the universe, Jingbu Abu (creator) was dejected to witness that
whatsoever he had created were in a state of complete disorder. Consequently, at
last he invoked the powers of Ngumngo Abu to categorically separate the universe
into two parts i.e. Changte (earth) and Dote (heaven). In course of evolution process,
the Sachang/Changte (earth) was prepared suitable for accommodating the entire
living beings including physical features like streams, rivers, valleys, gorges, hills,
mountains and plains. On the other hand, the natural objects together with the
celestial bodies like sun, moon, planets, stars etc. were set in the Dote (heaven). With
this, the evolution or creation process of the universe completed and Jingbu Abu
disappeared from the scene.
In the above mentioned process of evolution of universe we have witnessed
the coming of Sachang (earth) and Nyudo (heaven/sky), but later on another world
called Uyub Nyoku (world/land of spirits) evolved. As a result, the Nyishis believed
that the whole universe is divided into three worlds/parts i.e. Sachang (earth), Nyudo
(heaven/sky) and Uyub Nyoku (netherworld/world of souls & spirits). Sachang is a
dwelling place for living creatures including men, animals and plants; Nyudo is the
abode of Gods and Goddesses and other celestial bodies; while the Uyub Nyoku is
believed to be a place of souls and spirits which may be simply understand as a
place meant for the life after death. The Nyishis has also a belief that there is an
imaginary world called Tallang Nyoku, which is believed to be lies between Sachang
(earth) and Nyudo (heaven). This imaginary world, which the Nyishis treat as hell, is
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3. usually believed to be a dwelling place for the persons who die of unnatural death
like accident, murder, suicide, etc.
In the above paras of the creation or evolution of universe of the Nyishis, we
have seen that the power of Kamchang Chene Dola was invoked to create all living
beings including the human being. In this process Loma Chene Dola was employed to
create Nyiku Tani, the first man on earth. With the creation of first man, a chain of
descendants like Nyima Tani, Nyiya Tani, Nyidar Tani, Nyikum Tani etc. were born on
the earth. According to Nyishi mythology, the Tanis prior to Atu Nyiya Tani were
partly human and partly spirit and were live together with all other living creatures
on the earth. In fact, the Tanis (men) were endowed with extraordinary power to
reign over the earth. The other creatures including the Uyubs felt jealous of the
power and authority enjoyed by the Tanis and hence, there was continuous intrigue
and hostility between them. At last, Tani was almost defeated by the Uyubs through
deceitful and treacherous manner. At one moment, Tani decided to demolished and
finish the entire earth, but, at this juncture, Tu Tugung consoled him not to feel
disheartened and advised him to go to Ayu Donyi, who will indubitably help him
out of the trouble. Thus, he went there and subsequently entered into wedlock with
Jangte Ne, a daughter of Ayu Donyi. Atu Nyiya Tani was believed to be born out of
this marriage.
The Nyishis believe that it was from Atu Nyiya Tani, the concrete human race
began to flourish on the earth. It is very interesting to note that, with the completion
of the creation or evolution process, the supreme power or creator had virtually
disappeared but the creator had vested his powers in different ways and means for
the wellbeing of whole human race. Tu Tugung was one of them who played a
conciliator role to resolve the dispute between Tani and the world of Uyubs (spirits).
Many of the belief systems, faiths and practices of the Nyishis are evolved out of the
struggle between Tanis and Uyubs and ultimately the concept of religion emerged
out of their struggle.
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4. REFERENCES:
1. Bora, D.K. (1995); Myths and Tales of the Nishings of Arunachal Pradesh,
Directorate of Research, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
2. Bora, D.K. (2000); Traditional Nishing Religion and the Change, in M.C. Behera
(Ed.), Tribal Religion: Change and Continuity, Commonwealth Publishers, New
Delhi.
3. Choudhury, S.D. (1981/2008); Gazetteer of India: Arunachal Pradesh (Subansiri
District), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh/Himalayan Publishers, Itanagar.
4. Choya, T. (2009); English-Nyishi Dictionary, Living Word Communicators,
Shillong.
4. Nyokum Souvenir (2009); Central Nyokum Committee, Itanagar, A.P.
5. Rikam, N.T. (2005); Emerging Religious Identities of Arunachal Pradesh: A Study of
Nyishi Tribe, Mittal Publications, New Delhi.
6. Showren, T. (2007); The Nyishi of Arunachal Pradesh: Brief Ethnographic Outline,
Published by All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU), Talang-Hira Memorial
Complex, Itanagar.
7. Showren, T. (2009). The NYISHI of Arunachal Pradesh: An Ethnohistorical Study,
Regency Publications, New Delhi.
8. Tara, T. T. (2006). Nyishi Ancestors, Bhabani Offset & Imaging Systems Pvt. Ltd.,
Guwahati.
9. Tara, T.T. (2008); Nyishi World (2nd Edition), D.B. Printers, Banderdewa.
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