JAGIROAD, Jan 16 � Junbeel Mela, an ancient and historically important unique market got under way today at the Junbeel Pathar, 4km from here, in Morigaon district under the auspicious of the Gobha-Tiwa Deoraja Junbeel Samiti and at the direction of the Gobha-Tiwa king, Deepsing Deoraja.
About six thousand hill people from Karbi Anglong district and Meghalaya have already arrived at the Junbeel Pathar. They have already set up temporary sheds for their stay at the Mela site.
The ceremonial �king� of the Gobha kingdom Deepsing Deoraja, along with his Rajdarbar followers- Borbaruah, Senapati, Deka-Doloi, Bordoloi, Arandhara, Khatoniar and others assembled this afternoon at the Mela ground to attend a community feast, which was also joined by a host of other personalities from the tribe and other dignitaries.
The main gate of the Mela ground was inaugurated by Ramakanta Deuri, CEM, Tiwa Autonomous Council, Morigaon, while Tulsi Bordoloi, ex-president, Tiwa Sahitya Sabha inaugurated an exhibition on the occasion.
As per tradition, tomorrow in the wee hours the visiting hills people will 'barter' their various household items with the plains people in the Mela ground to be followed by 'community fishing' at Junbeel, the natural water body after which the Mela has been named.
The important fact is that, the Mela is held to felicitate barter system of trade between the hill tribes and the plains people. The tribals barter their edible ginger, lac, indigo, mats etc., to procure various traditional cakes, fried paddy powder, dried fish etc., from the plains people. With the commodities taken from the plains, the tribals then celebrate their Bihu. The following Saturday, the Uruka of the Bihu of the Gobha people is celebrated. Community fishing in the Junbeel is also done at the will of the Gobha king.
