Video: Ancient Barter Trade Alive In Assam’s Unique Jonbeel Mela

Jonbeel Mela-  You must have heard or read in stories that thousands of years ago when there was no currency, people used to buy and sell goods in exchange for goods. This system of trade is called barter system.

This thousands of years old tradition of trade is still alive in the northeastern state of Assam. Which is seen once a year in the Jonbeel Mela held there. On this occasion, the king of the Tiwa tribe is also present in the fair. In ancient times, the Tiwa state was known as Gobha State. That is why even today the king is known as Gobha Raja.

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Jonbeel Mela held in Assam’s Morigaon district. The three days mela begins on the third Thursday of Magh Month till Saturday. Like any other rural fair, people were seen engaging in different trade activities. However, what sets the trade activities unique is the lack of currency. Here it is not the currency that sets the trade in motion but they are exchanged in barter, just as those were done about 500 years ago.

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” Jonbeel Mela, is a traditional fair dating back to the 15th century that has kept the barter system alive. ‘Jon’ in Assamese means ‘ half moon’ and ‘beel’ means ‘wetland.’ History has it that the fair gets its name from Jonbeel, as it was once held on the banks of a wetland shaped like a crescent moon.”

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First organised during the reign of Ahom King Rudra Singha, the Jonbeel Mela was an annual gathering between the Ahom Kings and tribal chieftains to discuss the political landscape of the region. History tells us that both the Ahom Kings and the tribal chieftains brought their subjects to the fair to promote brotherhood and harmony among the people living in the plains and the neighbouring hills. While coins existed at the time, the barter system was preferred as a way to strengthen the bond between the communities of the plains and those in the hills.”

The Gobha Raja (King of the ancient Gobha Kingdom) formally inaugurates the fair following an Agni Puja, a sacred worship dedicated to the Fire God. Subsequently, there is also a community fishing in the Jonbeel (the water body) where all the people venture into the waters and catch fish.