Introduction:

Every superstitions believed in a community has it’s own unique story. Likewise a belief in the
community of Idu Mishmis based in the Dibang Valley hills have it’s own unique story, a
folktale passed on from several generations on “Why naming a child before the five days of it's
born is important.”
THE GIRL WHO WAS NAMED BY A SPIRIT
Like a word has it’s own meaning
a name has it’s own origin.
Her name was Anchi,
its origin was from chirping
that the parents heard singing,
five days later to the day
she was received.
A fine lady she grew up to be
and married to a man
she wanted to be with.
But fate had different plans for her
and she was snatched away
by a spirit that claimed
her soul to be his.
The chirping they had heard
was the spirit suggesting a name
to be given to the child
for his claim on her
in the later life.
She was taken and
nothing could be done.
After years of grief,
She came back one fine day
all hairy and no longer the beautiful lady
and brought along a bridal gift.
She stayed for quiet a days
and then announced
it was time to go back.
But before going she said
as long as she is alive, a red cloth
would be seen
and the cock would grow and crow
every waking morning.
The red cloth was seen and the cock
would crow and grow.
Everyday they would be happy, knowing
She was alive.
A few years gone,
the cloth couldn’t be seen
the cock couldn’t be heard and
they knew that this was the end
of their lovely child, Anchi.

Note: The hill is now named ‘Nani Anchi Allomi Ako.’ It is located between the village of Angolin
and Apruli in middle Dibang Valley.