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About Behdienkhlam

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About Behdienkhlam

Behdienkhlam is the biggest festival of the Pnar people of the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya. It is held every July, after the sowing, mainly at Jowai. The name means driving away the plague with sticks: beh is to drive away, dein is a stick and khlam is sickness.

In the days of the festival, men and boys go around the town beating the roofs of houses with bamboo poles to chase away sickness and bad luck. Families offer prayers and food to their ancestors.

On the main day, tall and colourful towers called rots, made of bamboo and paper, are carried through the streets with music and dance. Tall tree trunks, the dein khlam, are brought to a sacred pool called Aitnar.

In the muddy pool, two teams play datlawakor, a game with a wooden ball. People believe the winning side shows what kind of harvest the year will bring. The festival is a time of prayer for health, rain and plenty.

How people celebrate Behdienkhlam

  • Beating roofs with bamboo poles to drive away sickness
  • Prayers and offerings to ancestors
  • Colourful rot towers carried in procession
  • Dein khlam tree trunks brought to Aitnar pool
  • Datlawakor ball game in the mud
  • Drums, pipes and dances in Jowai

How to wish well

  • Wish Pnar and Jaintia friends during the festival days in July.
  • Good health, rain, a good harvest and togetherness are the right themes.
  • Simple English wishes are welcome; keep them warm and respectful of the prayers.

Questions about Behdienkhlam

When is Behdienkhlam?

Every July, after the sowing, for about four days. The main day for each year is shown on this page. The exact days are set each year in Jowai.

What does Behdienkhlam mean?

Driving away the plague with sticks. Beh means to drive away, dein means stick and khlam means sickness.

Where is Behdienkhlam celebrated?

Mainly in Jowai in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, and in other Pnar villages such as Tuberkmai.

What are rots?

Tall, colourful towers made of bamboo and paper that are carried through the streets on the main day.

What is datlawakor?

A game played by two teams with a wooden ball in the muddy Aitnar pool. The result is believed to show how good the harvest will be.

Is Behdienkhlam a holiday?

Yes, Meghalaya keeps a state holiday for it.

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