One of the major festivals of the Apatanis residing in the beautiful district of Subansiri is the ‘Mloko’ or ‘Myoko’, which is generally celebrated in the month of March or in other words ‘Mloko Polo’. In order to celebrate ‘Mloko’, all the Apatani villages of the plateau are divided into three major groups namely i) Hong, ii) Hari, Reru, Tajang, Kalong, and iii) Hija, Mudang-Tage, Duta, Michi Bamin for all social and religious purposes. The ‘Mloko’ festival is celebrated by one of these three groups in a particular year whereas the other two groups join the festivity of the host group; the following year, it is the turn of the second group to celebrate the ‘Mloko’ , and after that the third group, and so on.
about mloko OR MYOKO:
The second great public festival of the Apatanis next to the ‘Dree’ is ‘Morom’ which is celebrated and performed every year by all the Apatani villages, but ‘Mloko’ is performed by each village only one in three years. However, a rotation system is there which assures that in the ‘Mloko’ month i.e. March/April, these is a celebrating every year of the ‘Mloko’ festival. According to the existing system ‘Hong’ celebrates ‘Mloko’ for the first year, ‘Bela’ and ‘Hasi’ the second year and the groups of villages which consists of ‘Hija’, ‘Mudang-Tage, Duta, Michi Bamin, the third year respectively after which again a new cycle begins started by ‘Hong’.
Preparation for the ‘Mloko’ festivals begins over many weeks which includes purchasing of sacrificial animals, collection of fire-wood etc. However, the main attraction of the ‘Mloko’ is the erection of the poles which infact is used for a game of acrobatics which is performed on strong cane ropes, making the pole of swing. This particular sport performed during the ‘Mloko’ is very popular among both the sexes. Sometimes, even the elderly men and women show their skills and techniques. The poles meant for this sport which is known as ‘Bobo’ are carried to the village by the common effort men of the individual words and is erected close to the ‘lapang’. As mentioned in the beginning, ‘Mloko’ is a socio-religious festival where all the ‘Uyu’ (deities) are worshipped and propitiated. ‘Mloko’ festival is also celebrated to welcome the advent of the spring and also to worship ‘Yullo’ whom the Apatanis believed ‘as the creator of man and animals’. It is believed that one of the ancestors of the Apatani, ‘Diwoo’ celebrated the ‘Mloko’ with the help of the ‘Bunge Lidung Nyibu’. Since then, this particular tribe started celebrating the ‘Mloko’ festival every year. In the ‘Empolo’ month, the elderly people of the villages discuss with the ‘Nyibu’ about the celebration of ‘Mloko’ and request him to examine the omens.
After the examining of the omen is over and found favourable the ‘Arbu Bado’ is performed and a red monkey is killed by the villagers. The priest also accompanies the hunting and performs worship where he sacrifices an egg. Thus, the ‘Nyibu’ continues to chant hymns while accompanying the hunting party. ‘Biding Pado’ (the ritual) is performed after the red monkey is killed. The oldest person in the party carries the monkey. Brandishing cane leaves and dancing, shouting ‘Hoh..... Hoh’, the procession of the hunters returns to the village. Food items are collected from every household and the members of the hunting party are fed with apong, meat and rice etc. However, the old people are given monkey meat (Sibi-adin). Although the monkey meat is served to the people, its head is kept for the ‘Mloko’ celebration. Generally, in the month of December ‘Nenke Polo’, the ‘Lapang Bobo’ or the individual house are repaired, which is known as ‘Lapang Mudo, Bobo Bodo’. After the completion of this work, the villagers go the jungle in groups and may return on the same day. Sometimes, they carry food stuffs and stays in the jungle for several days to finish the work of collecting articles and hunting for the ‘Mloko’ festival.
In the month of ‘Morom-Polo’, the ‘Mloko Yasa Pado’ is done. Villagers go to their individual bamboo gardens in groups to cut firewood for the ‘Mloko’. The owner of the bamboo garden provides the hospitality to those who offer their services.
Necessary preparation of the articles, work on the fields, repairing of houses etc. required for the ‘Mloko’ are completed within the month of February. During the festive time, people need not worry about working instead, they can enjoy the feasting and merry making.
It takes around one month to complete all the rituals of the ‘Mloko’ festival. Some of the important festivals of the ‘Mloko’ are i) Sama Pido, ii) Ugyan Todu (sacrifice of pigs), iii) Tapre Pado, iv) Yajing Gyadu, v) In the fifth category, these are three types of rituals viz. a) Bunni Yajing, b) Puniyang Yajing, c) Gyotu Yajing
* Bunni Yajing is a ritual where ‘pork’ is gifted to the closest friends.
* Gyotu Yajing is a ritual where ‘gifts’ are presented to Nyishi friends.
* Puniyang Yajing is a ritual where the head of the sacrificed animal is given to the tribes who stand by for all help on all occasion.
‘Sama Pido’ is performed by a particular family of the clan/sub clan on the first day of the ‘Mloko’ festival and with this the festival is declared open.
CONCLUSION :
In the year 1978, the ‘Mloko’ festival was first celebrated by the ‘Hari’ groups. ‘Sama Pido’ was first performed by a person called Shri ‘Hage Ado’ for his group. The sacred fire was burnt for the first time on 21st March and it is believed that the fire should remain till the last day of the ‘Mloko’ festival when sacred rice will be cooked on it and shared by everyone.
In the evening time, all the invitees from other villages assemble and the Nyibu starts chanting hymns such as “Rilang Talila Zila Kezu lo Lyayu Kazu lo.....”. It means that “We are going to enjoy the occasion, May the almighty bless and make our merry-making a grand success.”
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