Behdienkhlam CELEBRATION
JOWAI, July 7: Chants and the rhythmic resonance of the tangmuri echoed through the heart of Jowai on Sunday as the Seinraij invoked ancient spirits at the sacred pool of Aitnar. The ceremonies marked the second day of Behdienkhlam, the Pnar community’s annual festival of spiritual defiance and prayer for a bountiful harvest.
In the morning, the Dolloi, the Langdoh, and the Waheh Wasan performed the Knia Aitnar ritual at Syiem Aitnar. This traditional offering is a plea to drive away plagues and secure the land’s fertility. According to the Seinraij, the Dolloi of Elaka Jowai fulfilled his customary obligation by bearing all expenses for the ritual, a duty central to the socio-religious welfare of the community.
Following the rites, the Kmai Raij moved from Mynkoi Pyrdi to the beat of the bhuri drum, proceeding to the forest to retrieve the Deinkhlam (logs). By evening, the weight of the massive logs was felt across Jowai as participants from Panaliar, Dulong, Lumpyrdi Iongpiah, Lumïongkjam, Tpep-Pale, and Lumkyrwiang transported them to designated resting spots in Iawmusiang.
A critical traditional checkpoint took place at Loom Sooïung, where the Khon Raij (Chilliangraij) measured every Deinkhlam against the Khnong Blai (sacred log). Custom mandates that no log can exceed the height of the Khnong Blai, which serves as the spiritual anchor of the festival.
“These rituals are the heartbeat of our community, especially for those of us who depend on the land,” a Waheh Wasan remarked, noting that the precision of these rites is believed to directly impact the coming harvest. “We pray for the belly of the land to be full and for our people to remain protected from illness.”
On Monday, the third day of the festival, the Kmai Raij will erect the Deinkhlam in their respective localities. The Khon Raij will transport the Symbood Khnong to the head of Chilliang Raij village, while the Dolloi will formally hand over the Khnong Blai to Kni Nikhla to begin the next stage of customary religious rituals.
