Jayantia girls perform the indigenous plate dance. Troupes of the Dimasa,
Jaintia, Biate, Hrangkhawl, Nepali, Meitei and the Karbi tribes, in their
traditional attire, danced as schoolchildren holding the national flag,
village elders and youth cheered them.
Dimasa tribal men play traditional instruments. Jatinga is famous for a
rare phenomenon of birds “committing suicide.”
Dimasa girls in their traditional dress taking part in the first
International Jatinga Festival in Jatinga. On a moonless night, when the
mist and fog bearing south-westerly winds blow over the Jatinga valley,
different species of local migratory birds get attracted to strong light
sources or “bird trap lights.”
A Dimasa tribal man prepares to perform a traditional dance. Dubbed as
the “ritual of bird suicide,” the event witnesses flying birds crashing
to the ground with no prior warning whatsoever on moonless and foggy dark
nights in Jatinga.
Girls from Hrangkhol tribe in their traditional dress participate in the
festival. The phenomenon remains an unsolved mystery, with many theories
doing the rounds.
An elderly tribal woman holds the national flag and walks with others to
witness the festival at Jatinga. In the 1980s, Jatinga was a hot
destination due to the bird phenomenon. However, the number declined as
insurgency gripped the hill district.
A Jaintia tribal couple reacts before performing a traditional dance
during the festival. Now that two major militant groups of the
district — the Dima Halam Daogah and the Dima Halam Daogah
(Jewel faction) — have entered into a ceasefire agreement with the
Government, Jatinga is poised to become a favourite tourist destination again.
Dimasa tribal boys prepare to perform a traditional dance. According
to the Organisers, the Jatinga Festival 2010 is an attempt to regain
the paradise lost due to the various socio-political dynamics and insurgency
in the district.
Jayantia girls performthe traditional plate dance during the festival.
Dima Hasao district of Assam can become a favourite tourist destination
because of its enchanting natural beauty and fascinating mosaic of ethnic
diversity.
A Biate tribal girl plays a bamboo musical instrument called “Mebur.”
Bird watchers, nature lovers, tour operators, travel writers and tourists
arrived at the festival.
Dimasa musician plays a “Muri” (flute) as a traditional drummer accompanies
him. Keeping in tune with the Times, in addition to folk performances the
festival also witnessed a live performance by Bollywood singer Lucky Ali.
A Dimasa girl shows her traditional dress and ornaments at the festival.
Eco-tourism activities like trekking to the Hempeopet Peak, visits to
different community villages and tourist spots, exhibition-cum-sale of
handicrafts and showcasing of ethnic cuisine have been arranged as part
of the festival.
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