The annual Behdeinkhlam Festival was celebrated in Jowai, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. This years celebration blended age-old Pnar tribal rituals with modern social themes such as environmental protection, women’s safety, Operation Sindoor, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence.
About Behdeinkhlam Festival
| Feature | Description |
| Meaning | “Behdienkhlam” translates to “Driving away the plague” (esp. cholera) |
| Celebrated by | Pnar community (sub-tribe of the Jaintia tribe) |
| Primary Locations | Jowai (West Jaintia Hills) and Tuberkmai (East Jaintia Hills), Meghalaya |
| Time of Celebration | Annually in July, post-sowing season |
| Purpose | Invoking divine blessings for good health, harvest, and driving away evil spirits/diseases |
| Associated Religion | Practiced by followers of the Niam Tre indigenous faith |
| Festival Duration | Three days, with elaborate rituals culminating on the final day |
| Women’s Role | Do not participate in dances but offer food to ancestral spirits |
In 2025, thousands participated in vibrant processions, ritualistic dances, and the parade of towering ‘Rots’ (decorated structures), making it both a spiritual cleansing and socially reflective festival.
The festival reaffirms the cultural strength of the Jaintia/Pnar tribe, promotes community unity, and brings global attention to traditional indigenous belief systems linked with seasonal cycles and agricultural practices.
Key Rituals and Unique Features
- Daloi (Tribal Chief) performs sacred rites invoking protection and blessings.
- Men beat rooftops of houses with bamboo poles, symbolizing driving out evil.
- Rots (large decorated towers) and Khnongs (wooden posts) paraded into a sacred muddy pool known as Aitnar.
- Dad-lawakor – A football-like traditional game played between Northerners and Southerners, predicting regional agricultural success.
- Mynthong Gathering – Community celebration with music, dancing, and processions.
- Desirable Rainfall – Rain during festival is seen as a good omen for crop yield.
Cultural & Social Significance
- Community Resilience: Historically rooted in warding off cholera, today it reflects collective responsibility.
- Socio-political Awareness: Rots themed on modern issues like women’s safety, AI, and Operation Sindoor (a counter-insurgency initiative).
- Cultural Tourism: Attracts scholars and tourists, contributing to Northeast India’s cultural economy.
- Preservation of Indigenous Practices: One of the few tribal festivals untouched by major external influences.
Key Facts:
- Capital: Shillong
- Tribes: Khasi, Jaintia (Pnars), Garo
- Languages: Khasi, Pnar, Garo, English
- Famous Festivals: Wangala (Garo), Shad Suk Mynsiem (Khasi), Behdeinkhlam (Jaintia)