Jonbeel Mela: An unique fair where barter system still alive
Guwahati, Jan 19 (IBNS): While cashless transactions are being accelerated in India in the demonetised age for brighter future, a specific unique fair in central Assam’s Morigaon district that works on the barter system is continuing since 15th century.
Jonbeel Mela – India’s only fair that works on the barter system has been started at Dayang Belguri near Jagiroad in the central Assam district on Friday witnesses the exchange of goods between the tribes from the hills and plains of Assam and Meghalaya.
The three-day long fair organised by the Tiwa community for over five centuries is a place, where people of hills and plains are exchanging their goods.
Tribal people of hills in Assam and Meghalaya have brought spices, herbs, fruits, ginger etc and exchanged them with rice, fish, cakes (pithas) from the people of plains.
Tribal people from the hills have come down to participate in the unique fair after invitation of Tiwa king Gova Roja.
The tribal people from the hills had come down on Thursday (January 18) and exchanged their produce with the people of plains on Friday (January 19).
Around 40,000 people had participated in the exchange fair this year.
25-year old girl Krishna Sangma, hailing from Umsoi in Meghalaya, said that she carried ginger, turmeric and black pepper here for exchanging with other items.
This fair (Mela) is known for promoting friendship and harmony among the people of tribes and plains in the region.
The people of plains had called the people of tribes from hills ‘Mama’ or ‘Mami’ (maternal aunt or aunty).
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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