SHILLONG, JULY 19: The Behdeinkhlam festival of the Raij Tuber, which is one of the most colourful and the largest in the Jaintia Hills region concluded amidst thousands of spectators from across the state and outside on Thursday.Over 60 villages participated in the festival held at the sacred place called the “Bear” at the heart of Tuber village, which is about 25 kilometers away from Jowai, the district headquarter of West Jaintia Hills District.
The festival was also witnessed by the cabinet ministers of the MDA government which includes health minister AL Hek, social welfare minister Kyrmen Shylla, besides a host of other MLAs, MDCs, and top district officials.
“The main objective of the festival is to bring together and unite the people of the state as well as showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the people of Jaintia hills,” Hek said while addressing on the occasion.
Members of the Raij Tuber, both young and old, drawn from various villages brought their rots and displayed them at sacred place-at Kmaishnong Tuber.
Altogether there were 72 rots finely decorated with colourful and unique designs brought to the ‘Bear’ with people dancing accompanying with drum beats which caught the eyes of the spectators.
Earlier in the morning, the ‘Knia Behkhlam’ – a ritual where a group of people holding rods made of bamboos was performed in order to chase away plague and evil spirits.
‘Pynkem Bhang’, ‘Iatan Bhang’, and ‘Iaslait’ are some of the other rituals that were performed as part of the festival at the ‘Bear’.
‘Iatan Bhang’ is like a ‘Tug of War’ in which the two team one from the ‘Phang Nein’ or upper side and the other from ‘Phang Wah’ or lower side team tried to win each other.
It is believe that if the team from Phang Nein wins, the year is expected to be good and if the Phang Wah Team wins it means the year will be bad. This year, the match was won by the ‘Phang Nein’ and this year is believed to be a good year.
By Our Reporter
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