JAGIROAD, Jan 17 The two-day famous Junbeel mela, organised by Gobha-Tiwa Deoraja Junbeel Samitti got underway today at Junbeel par, 4 km from here in Morigaon district. In the early morning, the historic barter system of trade was practised in presence of 3000 hills people from Karbi Anglong district and some from outside the State like Meghalaya etc.
According to historical records, the mela started not later than the 15th century. During the mela, the hill people come down from the hills to meet their relatives in the plains. Significally, exchange of goods takes place primarily among the hill tribes of Assam and Meghalaya and the plains people.
The tribals barter edible products such as ginger, lac, indigo, mats etc. to procure various traditional cakes, fried rice powder, dried fish etc. From the plains people.
With the necessary food items collected from the plains people, the tribals celebrate their bihu on the following Saturday, the ‘Uruka’ of the Gobha tribals is celebrated.
In the Junbeel mela too, barter of goods as well as purchase of commodities against payment of money is prevalent.
Another important significance is that community fishing is also a part of Junbeel mela and is conducted subject to permission by the Gobha King.
The mela is of ethnic and socio-cultural importance as this becomes a common meeting ground for the different hill tribes of Assam and Meghalaya, including the people of the plains.
Noted writer Rita Chowdhury, the Sahitya Akademi award winner for her highly acclaimed novel “Deu Langkhui’ or the divine sword set in the backdrop of Tiwa oral history will be felicitated in the mela tomorrow, Junbeel mela Samiti sources said.
Ancient Kings from various kingdoms situated in the State namely, Gobha-raja, Nellie-raja, Chahari-raja, Khola-raja, Kunoi-raja, Tetelia-raja, Dimoria-raja will participate in the mela tomorrow.
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