The term “Behdienkhlam” comes from two Pnar words: “Behdien,” meaning wooden sticks or planks, and “Khlam,” which refers to plague or evil. As the name suggests, the essence of the festival lies in its role as a spiritual defense — a community’s collective effort to ward off disease, famine, misfortune, and natural calamities. Its roots lie deep in the indigenous faith known as Niamtre, a religion that venerates nature and ancestral spirits rather than deities in the conventional sense. This belief system encourages harmony between the physical and spiritual realms, reinforcing a sense of communal responsibility for well-being and balance.
The structure of the Behdienkhlam celebration reflects this philosophy through a blend of devotion, symbolism, and spectacle. The festival begins with a holy dip in the Aitnar Pool, representing a symbolic cleansing of the soul and community. This is followed by the dramatic ‘Rots’ procession, where elaborately carved and decorated wooden beams are paraded through the streets by men from various clans and later immersed in water. These Rots serve as metaphoric vessels carrying away misfortune, disease, and spiritual pollution. The energy and visual grandeur of this procession make it one of the most captivating aspects of the festival, drawing thousands of spectators from across the region and beyond.
Religious rituals led by the Niamtre priests form the spiritual core of the festival. Prayers and offerings are made for protection, health, and a bountiful harvest. Each act during Behdienkhlam — whether it’s a prayer, dance, or symbolic gesture — carries a deep cultural significance, reflecting the Jaintia understanding of balance, fertility, and resilience. Complementing these rites is the game of Datlawakor, a traditional football-like sport played between villages. More than just recreation, the game is a powerful symbol of unity, strength, and youthful vigor within the community.
Though Behdienkhlam is primarily male-led in its ritual execution, women play indispensable roles in the broader cultural ecosystem. Their contributions to preparing food, preserving oral traditions, and sustaining communal bonds underscore the inclusive nature of the celebration. Behdienkhlam also serves as a cultural compass for the younger generation, offering them an identity anchored in heritage amid the fast-changing tides of modernity.
In recent years, the festival has become a focal point of Meghalaya’s cultural tourism, with government and local stakeholders promoting it as a unique tribal celebration. Performances by local artists blend traditional music and dance with contemporary flair, helping bring the festival’s vibrancy to wider audiences. Photographers, researchers, and tourists are drawn to Jowai to witness this cultural marvel firsthand, adding to its growing global footprint.
However, with growing attention comes the challenge of cultural preservation. The risk of commodification looms large, as external influences threaten to dilute the festival’s spiritual essence. There is also a noticeable decline in religious commitment among the youth, as urbanization and modern education shift focus away from indigenous belief systems. Balancing the need for cultural celebration with the importance of authenticity requires a sensitive and community-driven approach.
To preserve Behdienkhlam’s integrity, it is essential to support the role of local spiritual leaders and ensure that tourism initiatives remain respectful and rooted in tradition. Cultural education should be prioritized to help the younger generation appreciate the deeper meanings of their heritage. State agencies, media, and academic institutions must also play a constructive role in documenting, protecting, and promoting the festival in a way that uplifts rather than exploits.
Behdienkhlam is not simply a festival; it is the living voice of the Jaintia people, echoing their ancestral wisdom, ecological consciousness, and unwavering spirit. It reminds us that India's true strength lies in its diversity — in the sacred rhythms of tribal drums, in the spiritual fire of a community gathered in belief, and in the shared hope for a future that honors the past. As modernity advances, it becomes even more crucial to cherish and protect such indigenous legacies, ensuring that they are not lost but rather embraced as vital threads in the fabric of the nation.
