JOWAI, July 16: The Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) has chosen to celebrate the Tuber Behdeinkhlam festival this year, deviating from their usual observance of the Raid Jowai festivities. The celebration took place at SURE’s Halfway Home project, coinciding with the commencement of the traditional four-day and three-night Behdeinkhlam festival of Tuber.
Telme Phawa, Waheh Chnong of Sabah Muswang village, highlighted the unique and significant rituals of the festival. He noted the various sacrifices, including the “kñia khang,” which honours the tools used in farming. On the second day, rituals such as “ku tyngkong ha ïung u Langdoh Raid” and “kñia khlam,” a sacrifice to rid the community of plague, are performed.
The penultimate day features the “kñiaw choh thyndai”, a sacrifice to cleanse the community’s house of evil spirits. Ngeitlang Kyndait, secretary of the Sein Raij Chnong Sabah Muswang, explained that the festival culminates at the Biar, where Niamtre followers bring their Rongs to offer. The “tan bhang,” a tug-of-war with tree branches, and “ka ïasleit niam,” a wrestling match between clans, are also notable events.
Secretary of SURE, Dr HH Mohrmen expressed his delight at SURE’s initiative to celebrate this significant festival with the community, while emphasising the importance of raising awareness about Tuber Behdeiñkhlam. Other speakers included Niwanka Shylla, Project Coordinator of Halfway Home, and Thesolonica Myrchiang, Staff Nurse of the Home.
The programme concluded with a prayer by C Langdoh and the cutting of the Behdeinkhlam cake by Telme Phawa and others.
