JAGIROAD, Jan 20 � The second day of the historic Junbeel Mela began today with the inauguration of the primitive and indigenous barter system � a unique market at the Mela site, situated on the banks of �Junbeel� � a natural water body 4 km from Jagiroad in Morigaon district.
As per tradition and at the direction of the ceremonial �king� of the erstwhile Gobha kingdom, Deepsing Deoraja, the indigenous age-old barter system of trade began early this morning in presence of 4,000 hills people from Karbi Anglong district and some from outside the State. The hills people bartered some essential commodities such as indigo, ginger, mats etc., to procure various traditional cakes, fried rice powder, dried fish, etc, from the plains people. With the commodities taken from the plains people, the tribal folk will celebrate their Bihu. The �uruka� of the Bihu of the gobha tribals will be celebrated tomorrow.
Community fishing at �Junbeel� was another important event today where all groups joined hands. Community fishing is a vital part of the festival which is conducted subject to permission by the Goibha Deoraja. It plays a big role in fostering the spirit of friendship among different communities. This mela has some historical importance. It is an accepted fact that there were some seven prominent territorial provinces in North-East India, contemporary to the Ahom Kingdom, each governed by an indigenous King. They were known as Hat-Raja and the provinces were Gobha, Dimorua, Chahari, Nellie, etc.
