From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, July 12: The second day of the annual Behdieñkhlam Festival was on Saturday celebrated by the members of Seiñ Raij Jowai with vibrant traditional dances and music at Iawmusiang.
The highlight of the day was the ceremonial carrying of the drums (bom, bhuri), accompanied by women dressed in beautiful traditional attire adorned with gold ornaments.
Participants from the seven localities of Seiñ Raij, referred to as Kmai Raij, gathered to bring the symbolic Deiñkhlam logs from the sacred forests to be laid at Iawmusiang.
Meanwhile, the Khon Raij carried the Khnong Blai to its designated location at Loom Sooïung in New Hill, Jowai.
The day began with religious rituals known as Kñia Aitnar performed by the Dolloi (traditional chief), the Langdoh (high priest) and the Waheh Wasan (ritual elders) at Syiem Aitnar. Following the ceremony, all Kmai Raij departed from Mynkoi Pyrdi to lower the (Contd on P-7)
Traditional drums & dances…
(Contd from P-3) bom (drum) and the tangmuri (traditional flute) at Biar ka Blai before proceeding to Iawmusiang to bring in the Deiñkhlam.
By evening, representatives from all seven localities installed the sacred Deiñkhlam logs at their respective designated spots in the Iawmusiang market.
On Sunday, which marks the third day of the festival, the Kmai Raij will retrieve the Deiñkhlam and erect them in each locality.
The Khon Raij will also carry the Symbood Khnong to be installed at the head of Chilliangraij locality, while the Khnong Blai will be taken to Sawiar.