Jonbeel Mela

 

2nd Feb 2011

 

Jonbeel Mela is one of the most attractive festivals of Assam. Jonbeel Mela is held every year during the winter season at a historic place known as Dayang Belguri at Jonbeel. It is 5 kms from Jagiroad in Marigaon district of Assam. Jonbeel of Jagiroad is only 32 kms from Guwahati.

 

 

The mela is said to begin not later than 15th Century AD. It was first organized several centuries ago by the Ahom kings to discuss the prevailing political situations. Jonbeel is like the crescent moon that is why the mela on the side of the bill is named as  Jonbeel. Jon and Beel are Assamese terms for the Moon and a wetland respectively. It is a 3-day-long community fair held at the weekend of Magh Bihu. This is traditionally the Gobha Haat of barter exchange. On the Jonbeel Mela, a huge market or bazaar is held where the people of different tribes interchange their merchandise with the local people in barter system, which is very old system of exchanging basic necessary goods. The hut was continuing from time immemorial. Barter exchange is a very uncommon system in the civilized modern society. It is the only fair in India where barter system is still alive. In this Mela, hill people and the people of plain exchange commodities. Few days before the starting of mela , communities and tribes like Karbi, Khasi, Tiwa, and Jayantia of the Northeast come downwards from the hills with various kinds of products and interchange their merchandise with the local people in barter system.  The Mela takes place from a Thursday and ends on Saturday of the second or third week of Magh. In the preceding day of the Mela, the Gobha Raja and the officers offer and enjoy a community feast on the bank of Jon Beel. This fest is known as Naon Joa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before the mela, an Agni Puja or fire worship is performed for the well-being of the mankind. The mela starts with community fishing in the Jonbeel wetland. People from the Tiwa community catch fish during the “Community Fishing”. The theme of the mela is harmony and goodwill among the various tribes and communities scattered in the Northeast India. During the mela the king of the Tiwa tribes, popularly known as Govaraja along with his courtiers visit the mela and collect taxes from their subjects. During this festival people from various tribes perform their traditional dance and music and makes the whole atmosphere joyful.