An Insight on Socio-Cultural Jaintia Tradition – Bamphalar

Eddiana ShyllaFebruary 6, 2021

What’s Bamphalar?

The theatrical extravaganza, Bamphalar literally translates to ‘eating outside’, but the essence of it lies in the theatrical fiesta which is spread intermittently for two months. It is little known outside of the town Jowai of West Jaintia Hills, which is usually, organised by the seven localities at their community halls respectively.

When is Bamphalar?

This socio-cultural tradition is organised annually during the sowing season which comes right after the cultural festival called Chad Sukra, around April. It is intermittently spread for two months, “why?” you asked, because each locality take part to organise and perform the activities in their respective community halls inviting other localities as well.

Here are the seven localities:

1. Tpep-Pale
2. Dulong
3. Panaliar
4. Loompyrdi longpiah
5. Loomiongkjam
6. Loomkyrwiang
7. Chilliangraij

How is it celebrated?

Before we dip into that here is a little background. About five to six generations ago, the community members would organise a picnic after the sowing festival with entertainments comprising of singing and dancing. Gradually, this took a dramatic form as the folks were influenced by Bengal in the pre-independence era, being neigbouring kingdoms they influenced and effected each other’s cultural life and so the Jaintia people picked up on the arts and skills of performing since then.

Today, Bamphalar is a string of theatrical performances organised by the seven localities in Jowai which lead up to a community feast. Its significance is that it brings opportunities to the Jaintia people, as a socio-cultural phenomenon, it is a blessing not only for isolated individuals but for the Jaintia people at large.

Wait! Opportunities? What does that mean?

Here are the opportunities Bamphalar provides:

❖ It is a platform for artists, actors and musicians from all over the town to bring their creative talents into these theatrical performances.

❖ It preserves the oral traditions of story-telling as the Jaintia people do not possess any written scriptures like other world cultures.

❖ All the theatrical performances are performed in the local language which is the key to preserving and conserving the Jaintia language.

❖ Each locality has a community hall for Bamphalar which means they need to maintain the space for hosting the community hence tickets are sold and the proceeds are collected for the maintenance of the hall and for community needs.

The socio-cultural Jaintia tradition – Bamphalar is where the Jaintia people gathers as a unity to preserve the cultural and traditional heritage. The celebration occurs during the sowing season, also in a way, honouring Mother Earth and the farmers that have been sowing and providing the people bountiful food. The social, moral, intellectual and economic status of a person loses its burnt during Bamphalar and it becomes an equalizer for the people. It absorbs one and all in one roof in order to reconnect and affirm a sense of belonging in the community of the Jaintia people.