Rabhas are one of the largest communities of northeast India and spread throughout Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal and also some parts of Bangladesh. Claimed themselves as origin from Tibeto-Burman linguistics stocks, the Rabhas inherited one of the richest socio-cultural trends. They are sub-divided into Rongdani, Pati, Maitori, Bilotia, Hana, Chunga, Totla, Dahori etc.
Before an attempt is made on the concept of Nyishi custom of worshipping nature through puja or festivals like Nyoyin-Nyokum; it is necessary to focus on the religious belief of the Nishing (Nyishi). The Nyishi, who dwell in nature, believe in numerous Uyus (deities). This belief centres on spirits or deities of nature. All the performances of customary rites of Nyishi more or less relate to natural objects in Siichii and Nyedo i.e. earth and sky.
The latest VKIC Publication, The Main Ceremonies of the Khasi was released on the occasion of the inauguration of the NRL CONFERENCE HALL at the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture [VKIC], Guwahati, by Shri Dipak Chakravarty, Managing Director, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. Originally written in Khasi by KS Marbaniang, Sitimon Sawian and Wallamphang Roy, they have been translated into lucid English by the well known author of Shadow Men, Bijoya Sawian.
