Jonbeel Mela: Holding the previous traditions alive

The in any other case sleepy city of Jagiroad in Morigaon district in Assam, involves life with a gusto, abuzz with actions, individuals busy “promoting” their fares, all this on the weekend of Magh Bihu. This can be a fast sneak peek of what goes on on the whole throughout the Jonbeel Mela, an annual three-day truthful held yearly, the place the indigenous communities from Assam and Meghalaya come collectively and proceed their age-old follow of barter system.

The historic web site of Dayang Belguri at Jonbeel, positioned simply 3 km away from Jagiroad, is the place this truthful takes place. Jonbeel Mela is an enormous occasion for these indigenous communities in Assam and Meghalaya.

The truthful originated a while throughout the fifteenth century; no timeline is accessible for this occasion. Again within the days, the kings of the indigenous tribal communities of Assam and neighbouring Meghalaya – the Tiwa group, Karbi, Khasi and Jaintia – used to assemble at Dayang Belguri to debate political points and methods to keep up a pleasant relation with one another. The occasion slowly grew over time, and other people began a pleasant truthful the place they exchanged items. They didn’t use foreign money in these days.
Quick-forward to the current time, this age-old system of barter continues to be alive and in use. Isn’t that fascinating? Earlier than the truthful, these tribal communities load their items and merchandise and set out for the truthful grounds. One can solely think about the sight!

In our present-day scenario, there isn’t any barter system in follow. With numerous modes of funds obtainable to us, we solely know the system the place we pay for items and companies with foreign money. To get to expertise these tribal communities actively utilizing the barter system this present day of recent expertise, is one thing else. One can solely name it distinctive.

In case you’re questioning if that is all there may be to Jonbeel Mela, you’re in for the time of your life. Earlier than the graduation of the truthful, there may be an Agni Puja, the place the communities pray for the well-being of mankind. Now that it’s executed, the communities head out to the Jonbeel wetland (sure, the truthful will get its title from the wetland space that surrounds the fairground) for group fishing.

This previous follow of coming collectively to keep up relationship between the communities, to maintain alive the sense of group, concord and brotherhood amongst these tribes, is certainly commendable.

1. The place is Jonbeel Mela held?
   Jonbeel Mela is held at Dayang Belguri, positioned simply 3km away from Jagiroad in Morigaon District, Assam.
2. When is Jonbeel Mela?
   Jonbeel Mela takes place on the weekend of Magh Bihu which takes place both in January or February.
3. What makes Jonbeel Mela distinctive?
   Jonbeel Mela is an annual three-day group truthful held yearly the place the indigenous communities from Assam and Meghalaya come collectively and proceed their age-old follow of barter system.