THE KING OF GOVA ( TIWA DYNASTY)
JUNBEEL MELA, A PLACE OF INTEGRITY.
(Between hills and plains people)
SUBHASH DAS
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Junbeel, name of a small river ,it is situated on the away to Morigaon from Jagiroad. That small river is witness of many historic event of TIWA dynasty and the world famous Junbeel Mela (village trade fair).The mela is organized every year during BHOGALI BIHU festival in the month of JANUWARI (MAGH MAH in the Assamese year) .The olden tradition of transaction, barter system is still alive in this traditional village trade fair ,which was started from 15 th century.During the mela, the hill people come down from the hills to meet their relatives in the plains.Significally,exchange of goods takes Place primarily among the hill tribes of Assam and Meghalaya and the plains
people.The tribals barter edible products such as ginger,lac,indigo,mats etc. to procure various traditional cakes,fried rice powder, dried fish etc. from the plains people .
In the Junbeel mela too,barter of goods as well as purchase of commodities against payment of money is prevalent. Another important significance is that community fishing is also a part of Junbeel Mela and is conducted subject to permission by the GOBHA KING. It is bound to pay yearly tax and royalty by plains and hills dependent to the GOBHA KING during mela period. Earlier this mela was a tax collecting camp of GOBHA dynasty.So it is known as Gobha mela.
The mela is of ethnic and socio-cultural importance as this becomes a common meeting ground for the different hill tribes of Assam and Meghalaya, including the people of the plains. This village trade fair is an example to the civilized world.Example of brotherhood, exchange of culture ,expression of love for plains by innocent hill people .
Please visit to the paradise of love and integrity "JUNBEEL MELA".
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