Preparations under way for 2nd Judima Festival

From a Correspondent

Haflong, November 29: Preparations for the 2nd edition of Judima Festival, scheduled to be held from December 18 to December 20 at Dibarai village of Haflong, and  organized by Youth Association for  Development and Empowerment (YADEM), Dibarai Mahila Samity and Dibarai Village Committee, are on in full swing.

The 2nd edition of Judima Festival is aimed at promoting tourism and showcasing the rich culture and tradition of the Dimasas in particular and of other people living in the district of Dima Hasao in general.

‘Judima’ is a traditiol brewed rice wine of the Dimasas. Though rice wine is also produced by some tribes of the district like Zemes and Rangkhols, the other tribes other than the Dimasas do not brew rice beer at present after they embraced Christianity. The Dimasas are Hindus, still practicing the age-old customs and traditions and their own way of worship.

It is said that ‘Judima’ along with animal sacrifice are required while worshipping the gods in order to be blessed. Judima is also a mandatory item in any ritual of the Dimasas, like anprasan of baby, marriage ceremony and even death ceremony. Almost every household in a Dimasa village brews rice wine or Judima.

The Judima Festival will be organized for showcasing the rich culture and tradition, as well as to attract tourists with other associated events like trekking, home stay, angling, cycling and sightseeing, followed by rock concerts.

Kumud Kemprai, Gaon Bura of Dibarai village, said, “It is not for encouraging drinking of wine but to make Judima a patent exclusively for the Dimasas. The other aim of the Judima Festival is to promote tourism in this only hill station of Assam and to showcase our rich and colourful culture and tradition and handicraft.”