Ancient festival to chase away 'plague' celebrated

The four-day ancient Behdeinkhlam festival of the Jaintia tribes in Meghalaya concluded here today in which several thousand faithfuls took part.
The festival, usually celebrated every year in July, is the most important one of the Jaintias and celebrated after the sowing is over.
'Beh Dein' means to drive away with sticks and 'Khlam' means plague or pestilence.
The main feature of the festival is the making of the "Dein Khlam", "Symlend" and "Khnong", which are rounded, polished and tall tree trunks (not pine trees), felled in a reserved forest.
On the last day, young men led by priests carry bamboo sticks and visit each home beating roof-tops to chase away evil spirits, especially the demon of plague to the accompaniment of drums, cymbals and chanting in Pnar.

These days, the Behdienkhlam 'rots' are built on wide ranging local and global issues - politics, environment protection besides sports activities.
This festival is also an invocation to God seeking blessings for a good harvest. Women offer sacrificial food to the spirits of the ancestors.