Eight-day long historic Hizla mela kicks off in Dumka

Dumka: The historic Janjatiya Hizla Mela commenced on Friday at Hizla Mela ground in Dumka. A local village head Sunni Lal Hasda initiated the eight-day state fair by cutting the ribbon at the Carstairs gate, named after British administrator John R Carstairs, who established this event to integrate local tribal communities into governance. Established in 1890, this fair, which received state recognition in 2015, will conclude on February 28.
DDC Abhijeet Sinha, IAS trainee Abhinav Prakash and district board chairperson Joyas Besra attended the inaugural ceremony. However, notable absences included Dumka MP Nalin Soren, MLA Basant Soren (both JMM), Santhal Pargana commissioner and deputy commissioner Anjaneyulu Dodde.
During undivided Bihar, chief ministers and governors traditionally inaugurated and concluded the Hizla Mela. This practice ended due to beliefs associating the fair's inauguration with unfavourable outcomes, leading to reduced participation from bureaucrats and tribal community representatives.
The village head performed customary offerings at Disom Marang Buri Than, the Santhal tribals' worship site, followed by the Ullas March before the formal inauguration.
Traditional dance performances featured artistes in traditional attire, accompanied by flute, mandar, singa and sakwa music instruments during the ‘Ullas March' to Carstairs Gate.
District board Chairperson Joyas Besra stated: " Hizla Mela provides a good platform to acquaint oneself with different facets of tribal culture." DDC Sinha added: "Hizla Mela reflects the confluence of local tribal culture, foods, folk dances and songs and other aspects of the community".