JOWAI: The four-day Behdeinkhlam Festival of the Pnars in West Jaintia Hills kicked off on Thursday with the fetching of the ‘Symbud Khnong’ – the consecrated tree by the Khon Raij – the members of the Chilliang Raij Dorbar Shnong in Jowai.
The Symbud Khnong was taken from the sacred forest to Loom-Soo-Iung, New Hill, Jowai.
Families organised ‘ka Siang ka Phawa’ in their respected ‘Kmai Iung or Iung Blai’, a ritual where food is offered to the ancestors of their respective clans.
According to traditional belief, the festival drives away plague and evil spirits. Plague refers to various kinds of diseases, bad fortune, famine, natural disasters and evil spirits are those which attack and destroy life and property.
Different rituals will be performed by elders of the traditional faith – the Niamtre.
Rituals will be performed by the Dolloi, who is the head of the religion, and U Lyngdoh or the priest, among others.
The final day of the festival witnesses the faithful dancing in the Aitnar.
Meanwhile, construction of decorative and colourful tower-like structures called ‘Rot’ or Rath is being carried out in respective villages and localities. These raths will be displayed on the Aitnar, the sacred pool on the last day of the festival on Sunday.
