JOWAI, July 19: The biggest Behdienkhlam festival in Jaintia Hills district, organised by the Sein Raij Tuber, concluded on Friday at Tuberkmai Shnong village in East Jaintia Hills. The event attracted a large footfall.
Some of the key rituals that were performed included ‘Knia Ryngkaw’, an oblation to the goddess who guards over the Raij, conducted by the priest, or u Longdoh.
Another symbolic ritual, ‘Ka Beh Khlam’, involved Sein Raij members running with sticks from the west to the east end of the village, beating anything in their path to drive away plague.
The last two rituals performed before and after immersion of all rots brought to Aitnar were ‘Ka Iatan Bhang’ and ‘Iaslait’.
‘Ka Iatan Bhang’ is a tug-of-war between groups representing the Phang Nein (North) and the Phang Wah (South), with the winner believed to bring prosperity to Raid Tuber.
About 68 rots were brought to Aitnar from over 28 villages on Friday.
The closing ceremony was attended by Art and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh as the chief guest, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla, Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santamary Shylla, Doloi of different Elakas, JHADC MDCs, DCs and SPs of East and West Jaintia Hills, president of Sein Raij Tuber Helping Phawa, et al.
