Unleashing Jonbeel Mela's Barter System

The Jonbeel Mela is a captivating cultural event in Assam that showcases the ancient practice of bartering. This vibrant fair brings together diverse communities and tribes, fostering social interactions and cultural exchange.

Jonbeel Mela; Image Source: Pratidin Times

The Jonbeel Mela is a historically and culturally significant festival that dates back to the 15th century AD. Initiated by the Ahom kings, it provided a platform for discussing political scenarios within their kingdom. The festival takes its name from an adjacent lake known as "Jonbeel," which owes its title to the Assamese words "Jon," meaning moon, and "Beel," meaning wetland. The lake's distinctive shape resembles a crescent moon, making it a notable landmark. Before the mela, the Gobha king conducted a solemn prayer ceremony and sought blessings from the ancestral deity. Tribal communities from the Northeast region descend from the hills, engaging in this traditional barter system and exchanging their unique artefacts. The mela celebrates diversity and heritage, fostering social bonds among different communities and showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the region.

During the days before the Jonbeel Mela, indigenous tribal communities from the Assam Hills and neighbouring regions descend from their mountain homes. They bring their unique products and engage in a captivating barter system with the local Assamese population. This traditional practice sets the Jonbeel Mela apart as a distinctive fair in India, preserving the ancient art of bartering. The exchange of goods fosters vibrant trade and cultural interaction, showcasing the diverse traditions of indigenous communities and celebrating the region's rich heritage. The Jonbeel Mela stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring significance of age-old customs in our dynamic world.

The Jonbeel Mela begins with an Agni Puja (Fire Worship), a ritual to pray for the well-being of humanity. The festival kicks off with a community fishing event in the Jonbeel wetland. Its main theme revolves around promoting harmony and brotherhood among the tribes and communities of Northeast India. The mela facilitates the exchange of goods between hill-dwelling and plain-dwelling people. Visitors can enjoy attractions like cock fights, group melas, and artefact exhibitions. The Gobha king and his courtiers also attend to collect taxes. A community feast is arranged on the eve of the fair.

The Jonbeel Mela unfolds over three significant days. On the first day, people from the hills, known as ‘mama-mami’ by the plain Tiwas, descend with a variety of goods and settle in the plains. The second day is highly anticipated as it marks the renowned barter exchange, where hill-dwelling individuals trade their products such as pithas, dried fish, vegetables, and medicinal herbs for ginger, turmeric, arum, leafy vegetables, yam, lac, and other locally produced items. The third day features a bustling general mela where a large crowd gathers for buying and selling through monetary transactions. The Raj Durbar takes place, attended by Tiwa Kings, officials, and administrative representatives who engage in formal meetings and discussions.

Glimpses from the Jonbeel Mela; Image Source: Instagram/mjdas, grub_tales_by_sanjukta, axomiya.nabaprajanma

The Jonbeel Mela holds immense socio-cultural significance as it promotes interaction and integration between the hill and plain dwellers, as well as among diverse socio-cultural groups. It serves as a platform for celebrating love, brotherhood, and loyalty, surpassing its role as a mere market. The Mela is enthusiastically embraced by people who view it as a divine gathering to honour the king and actively participate in the exchange of goods.

The Jonbeel Mela holds ritualistic significance for the hill-dwelling communities. After exchanging their products, they take fish, pitha, and other items back to the hills, offering special prayers for the well-being of their families and communities. While not directly tied to worship or religious practices, the items obtained from the plains hold symbolic importance, making this bartering process highly significant for them.

During medieval times, the Jonbeel Mela served as a fertile ground for alliances and negotiations between ruling groups such as the Ahom kings, Jaintia Kings, and Tiwa Chieftains. It provided a platform for political alliances and discussions.

In more recent years, on 17 January 2009, the Government of Assam introduced an "Annual Royal Allowance" for the nineteen customary kings representing communities under the Gobha Kingdom. This kingdom spans parts of three districts in present-day Assam: Morigaon, Nagaon, and Kamrup. The Education Minister of Assam, Ranoj Pegu, distributed bank cheques to the kings, with the amount varying from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000 based on the population count under each king's authority.

The Jonbeel Mela holds a cherished place in the cultural fabric of Assam and Northeast India. With its historical origins, the mela continues to foster harmony, unity, and cultural exchange among diverse communities. The barter system, the vibrant marketplace, and the ritualistic significance of the event add depth and meaning to this grand celebration. Moreover, the mela's role in facilitating political alliances in medieval times and the recognition of customary kings in recent years further exemplify its importance. The Jonbeel Mela stands as a testament to the resilience of age-old customs, the spirit of communal integration, and the celebration of cultural diversity. It remains an occasion where people come together, not only to trade goods but also to embrace a shared heritage and forge lasting connections.