MEGHALAYA: Behdeingkhlam The Festival Of Pnars, To Get Ride Of Plague
The 23rd of August Behdeingkhlam (chasing away the Demons or plague)an annual festival celebrated by the Pnars was observed in Mukhla village of West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.
Behdienkhlam is made up of the following three words, ‘Beh’ meaning ‘to get rid of,’ ‘Dien’ meaning ‘wood or log,’ and ‘Khlam’ meaning ‘plague.’ Taken together, the word means ‘to get rid of the plague.’ It’s primarily held before the rainy season, at the end of the sowing season.
It is a traditional festival celebrated to rid off diseases and drive away epidemics. It is observed for a week and during this period cleaning drives are organized by the community to ensure that the people have a healthy environment to live in. There are also many other religious rituals performed by the elders of the community for the well-being and prosperity of the society as a whole.
Behdeingkhlam is observed by several communities throughout Jaintia Hills at different times of the year. It is a colorful and musical festival. On the final day of the week, women and children dress up in their best traditional, formal and casual wear. Men usually put on their oldest attire as they love to participate in the traditional “Aitnar Dance”.
The dancers are highly emotional when tall-decorated structures called rots and wooden post-called khnongs would be brought into the pool. Apparently, there should be rain on the day of the festival.
Checkout some TBSNews images of the festivals.
