India Water Portal:
Jonbeel mela that started around 15th century today is a huge affair with around a lakh people visiting it
India Water Portal:
The Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi, Garo tribes etc. come down to the mela for exchange of merchandise
India Water Portal:
Each group coming from a village creates their own space
India Water Portal:
Women packing chillies grown in Jhum for exchange
India Water Portal:
Commodities laid out for exchange
India Water Portal:
Commodities laid out for exchange
India Water Portal:
The people stay there for the duration of the fair
India Water Portal:
Fish being smoked
India Water Portal:
Fish being smoked
India Water Portal:
There are a number of traditional dances performed during the fair
India Water Portal:
A variety of goods is exchanged- most commonly chillies, turmeric, ginger, herbs, pithas (Assamese rice cakes) and dried fish
India Water Portal:
People from the hills generally exchange their Jhum produce with fish and pithas from the plains
India Water Portal:
People from the hills generally exchange their Jhum produce with fish and pithas from the plains
India Water Portal:
People from the hills generally exchange their Jhum produce with fish and pithas from the plains
India Water Portal:
Community fishing at Jonbeel is an important practice during this fair
India Water Portal:
Hundreds of people throng to participate in chilled waters
India Water Portal:
Sunder Bordoloi has visited this fishing for 30 years and says that the fish has deteriorated in number
India Water Portal:
A fisherman shows his catch
India Water Portal:
Women wait for their turn with different traditional fishing gear
India Water Portal:
Children are no less
India Water Portal:
After fishing for an hour or two, people rush to warm themselves near a fire
India Water Portal:
A fisherman shows his catch before leaving the beel