Shillong: Thousands packed the muddy banks of the Aitnar pool in Jowai this Thursday. They gathered for the finale of the Behdienkhlam festival, the Pnar community's annual indigenous celebration. The event combines centuries of ritual with bold, modern social commentary.
Thirteen towering structures, known as rots, moved through the streets. They featured tributes to football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Other displays warned against mobile phone addiction and alcoholism while pushing for healthier lifestyles. The decorations showcased a unique shift in local tradition.
Drums pounded. Pipes wailed. Men danced in the mud to drive away sickness and misfortune. The Dolloi of Elaka Jowai led the prayers, rituals, and the symbolic immersion of the sacred khnong. This is the heart of the four-day event, held every year after the sowing season.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended as the guest of honor. He joined other regional leaders and local officials at the sacred site. Despite a persistent drizzle, the crowd stayed focused on the water. Sarma noted his experience during the ceremony, saying, "I am very grateful that I was invited to witness this festival. Next year, I will come myself and jump into the pool with the people of Jowai."
The event drew widespread support from multiple government departments. It concluded with the traditional game of Dat-Lawakor. This wooden ball match serves as an omen for the coming harvest. The festival remains a defiant statement of Pnar identity, faith, and cultural staying power.
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