Festivals of the Jaintia Hills, like others,
contribute significantly to maintaining a balance between man, his culture and
his natural environment or eco-system. At the same time it seeks to revive the
spirit of cohesiveness and solidarity among the people. Festivals of Jaintias
can be broadly studied under the following names :-
Behdienkhlam
It is the most important festival in the socio-economic life of the Jaintias
and the focus is on praying for the property and good health of the people and
on invoking divine blessings for a bountiful harvest. Behdienkhlam is celebrated
all over the Jaintia district, but the grand spectacle takes place at Jowai,
the district headquarters, at an altitude of 1220 metres from sea-level and
only 64 km. away from Shillong. The festival is observed by non-Christian 'Pnars'
who believe in the traditional faith of "Niamtre".
Legend has it that Jowai town was once covered by thick forest, without human
habitation. It was the home of five Deities - four huge stones and a river nymph.
The four stones can still be seen at the four corners of Jowai town. These Deities
wished that God would create human beings and send them to settle there. Their
wish was granted when a wandering Mongolian tribe arrived in these forests.
To express his great joy at the arrival of humans, 'U-Mokhai,' the eldest among
the Deities, began a Great Dance. The thunder of the dancing Deity scared the
travelers, but when they started to flee, the Deity addressed them to say, 'Children
of God, fear not.
You will live happily and prosperously in this land which shall be yours from
tonight'. And so they stayed. Much later at the time of a great famine, the
people of Jowai asked 'U-Mokhai' to help, and he asked them to perform a community
festival after the sowing season and Behdienkhlam remains the primary festival
of the Jaintias till this very day.
Laho Dance
This is a festival devoted to entertainment. Both men and women participate
in the dancing, always dressed in their colourful best. Usually two young men
on either side of a girl, linking arms together, dance in step. In place of
the usual drum and pipe, a "cheer leader", a man with the gift of
rhythmic recitation, tells ribald couplets, and spectators roll with laughter.
Sowing Ritual Ceremony
Beh Ser Soopen : A religious hunting ritual. A priest breaks an egg in
order to bring success and to know which divine part of the forest the hunters
must go. At the end of the chase, the "quarry" is carried to the altar
and the meat distributed among all.
Cher iung blai : Men make a small thatch of bamboo and grass - it is a place
where evil spirits are locked up. The male members then come with spears and
make a symbolic killing of the demons.
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