West Jaintia Hills Police

FESTIVALS

Behdienkhlam:- This is the most important festival of the Jaintias and is celebrated after the sowing is done. It is celebrated annually at Jowai, Ialong, Mukhla, thadmuthlong and Chyrmang usually in the month of July-August. It is popular and colourful festival. Men only, young and old, take part in the dancing to the tune of the drums and flute. Women do not take part in the dancing but have an important role to play at home in offering sacrificial food to the spirit of the ancestors. They invoke their aid and intercession that life here below will be good and worthy for the next one above. Men make a symbolic driving away of the evil spirits which cause sickness and misery, by beating the roof of every house with bamboo poles. This festival is also an invocation to God seeking His blessing for a good harvest.

 

DANCE AND MUSIC

Pnars are fond of dance, music, sports and festivals. Mindful of their cultural heritage, these simple folks are jovial and hospitable. Pnars are particularly fond of songs praising nature like lakes, waterfalls, hills etc. and expressing love for their land. They use different types of musical instruments like Duitara, Sarong, Ka Nakra, Pdiah, Katasa, Marynken, Chuwiang, Tangmuri etc. Pnars are music lovers and consider ‘Ka Duitara’ as the Queen of music. Traditionally ‘Ryndia Khyrwang’, ‘Ryndia Saru’, ‘Ryndia Stem’, ‘Ryndia Saru’, ‘Ryndia Stem’ were worn by Jaintia ladies. Men used to wear sula, yuslein, patoi, dhara etc. Usually women wear gold and silver ornaments like khaila, kpieng, ksiar, ksahkti, khadu, pansngiat (Tiara), etc. during Laho dance. Both males and females perform the Laho dance. Attired in the best finery usually young men on either side of a women holding arms together, dance in steps. In place of the usual drum and pipe, a cheerleader, usually a man gifted with the talent impromptu recitation, resides couples of the marrimen of the audience.

 

‘Shad Pliang’ or plate dance was perform in the royal palaces to please royal quest. This dance is performed in fields also. Chad Sukra’ this festival of dances is held annually in Jowai and many villages of West Jaintia Hills District, for a day in the month of April/May before the sowing season.