Guwahati: Chief Minister Dr Himanata Biswa Sarma, on January 20, attended the second day of the three-day historic Gova Deoroja Jonbeel Mela at Jonbeel Pothar in Morigaon district. Jonbeel festival is one of the oldest tribal festivals celebrated by the Tiwa community, where the buying and selling of goods are done by a barter system.
Tiwa monarch Gova Raja Deep Singh Deoroja and the rulers of the other Tiwa “kingdoms” were also present on January 20. Best known for the practice of barter system of trade between communities of the hills and the plains of the nearby and adjoining areas, Jonbeel Mela has traditionally been patronised by the Tiwa royal families for centuries since the mediaeval period.
Addressing a public meeting at the Jonbeel Mela venue, the Chief Minister referred to the traditional fare as one of the most distinct cultural practices of the state owing to its peculiarity, such as the barter system of trade, collection of taxes and holding of royal assembly the Tiwa monarch Gova Roja, practices commonly not observed in any other contemporary events.
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma also credited the tradition of Jonbeel Mela for providing a platform for interaction between various ethnicities of the hills and the plains. These interactions gradually led to the growth of brotherly relations and the removal of prejudice between various ethnic communities, the Chief Minister added. The continuation of the Jonbeel Mela in its original form for centuries was a manifestation of the importance the members of the Tiwa community attaches to their heritage and culture, Dr Sarma remarked.
The Chief Minister also said the central reason behind holding the Jonbeel Mela was economic, and it was still serving that very purpose, apart from being a platform for spreading peace and brotherhood between communities. The Chief Minister also handed over “Raj Bhatta” to the Tiwa kings.
Agreeing to a long-standing demand of members of the Tiwa community, the Chief Minister also declared that 20 bighas of land at an appropriate location would be allotted to the Jonbeel Mela committee at the earliest so that the tradition can be practised from next year onwards at that location.
Chief Minister Dr Sarma also appealed to the members of the tribal communities to get their land registered under the Basundhara 2.0 scheme, allowing tribal individuals to possess as much as 50 bighas of land under their names. The Chief Minister also appealed to the Tiwa population to remain rooted in their culture and identity and maintain a safe distance from the trend of religious conversion, which has been seen in recent times. He said an ethnicity cannot thrive for long if it loses its touch with its cultural roots.
Guardian Minister of Morigaon district Pijush Hazarika, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Lahorighat Assemble Constituency Dr Asif Mohammad. Nazar, Morigaon MLA Ramakanta Deuri, Chief Executive of Tiwa Autonomous Council Jibon Chandra Konwar, Chief Executive of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang were also present.
