The Twin Guardians of Yomcha: The Story of Akker and Kadai Yomgam

 

In the heat of Yomcha Circle within West Siang, the twin villages of Akker Yomgam and Kadai Yomgam emerge as a breathtaking sanctuary for the Yomgam family. This ancestral land is defined by a rare geographical harmony, where the intimate curves of the valley met the towering strength of the mountains. Cloaked in a dense, lush green canopy, the landscape is uniquely marked by striking black-colored rocks that serve as a natural boundary, distinguishing this territory from all others in the region.

The identity of the village itself is carved into its stone; Akker derives its name from a significant rock known by the villagers as Akker Lipik. This "Akker Lipik" is considered the suitable and auspicious foundation of the land, grounding the village's identity in the very earth it stands upon. Higher still lies the formidable that serves as a throne for the kings of the air. It is from this "huge rock" that great kites and eagles conduct their silent surveillance. With sight honed by the mountain winds, these birds of prey watch the village courtyards for the slightest movement, waiting to swoop down upon ducklings, chickens or hens.

While the heights are ruled by the eagles of Piim Lipik, the soul of Akker and Kadai resides in the water. Beneath the mountain peaks, hidden streams flow through secret uderground channels, their rhythmic pulse echoing against the black stone. Each morning, as the sunlight is thrown directly into the village and the birds begin their chorus, the sound of these rushing streams serves as a reminder of the generations who have lived in harmonny with this land.

The cultural fabric of the villages is deeply rooted in Galo traditions. The traditional architecture of the houses-built with varying sizes of logs, bamboo walls and Taa-ek (Toko Patta/Fan Palm) thatched roofs, is a marvel of indigenous engineering. These homes are central to an animistic way of life that sees the devine in every tree and stone. This spiritual connection peaks during Mopin, the grand festival where the community seeks the blessings of the goddess of harvest. Clad in white, the people perform ancient rituals and the iconic Popir dance, smearig rice flour on faces as a symbol of purity.

Survival in this rugged terrain is sustained by a dual mastery of the land. The villagers of Akker and Kadai practice both shifting cultivation (Jhum), which respects the forest cycle and meticulously carved step-cultivation terraces that hug the slopes. These emerald-green stairs transform steep inclines into productive fields. In these twin villages, every log in a house, every terrace on the hill and every ritual in the field is a tribute toa heritage as unshakeable as the black rocks surrounding them.