Jonbeel Mela, Northeast's only fair to practice barter system, is officially underway

MORIGAON: Jonbeel Mela, famous for the barter system, has officially kicked off today at Jonbeel Pathar in Jagiroad in Morigaon district. The fair is held every year by the Tiwa community around Magh Bihu time.

The fair is held 3 km from Jagiroad in Morigaon district of Assam and 32 km from Guwahati. The National Highway connecting the mela is NH 37. 

Notably, the Jonbeel Mela is the only fair in the northeastern states where the barter system is still practiced. Rural folks from the hills descend to the plains to exchange their home grown produce and vegetables with whatever people from the plains have to offer.

Organized under the patronage of the Gobha kingdom since the 15th Century, the titular Gobha king still oversees the arrangements for the fair and conducts a “durbar” on the concluding day of the event.

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The Mela will start with a community feast on Thursday. On Friday, the traditional barter system will take, where the people of the hills will exchange their agricultural products. On Saturday, the Gobha king will collect token taxes from the people and Mela will come to an end.

Today, there will be a flag hoisting programme and a feast with the kings.

Open fair and cultural functions -- a staple of the 3-day event -- have been cancelled this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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