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Jowai Jwai | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 The serene Thadlaskein Lake is located at the outskirts of Jowai town | |
  Jowai Location in Meghalaya, India Show map of Meghalaya Jowai Jowai (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:25°18′00″N92°09′00″E / 25.30000°N 92.15000°E /25.30000; 92.15000 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Meghalaya |
| District | West Jaintia Hills |
| Government | |
| • MLA | Wailadmiki Shylla (NPP) |
| • MP | Mr. Ricky AJ Syngkon (VPP) |
| Elevation | 1,380 m (4,530 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 28,430 |
| • Density | 77/km2 (200/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Regional | Pnar,Khasi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 793 150 |
| Telephone code | 91 03652 |
| Vehicle registration | ML-04 |
| Climate | Cwb |
Jowai (IPA: ʤəʊˈwaɪ) is the headquarters of theWest Jaintia Hills district of the state ofMeghalaya, India, and is home to thePnar, a sub-tribe of theKhasi people. It is located on a plateau surrounded on three sides by theMyntdu river borderingBangladesh to the south (about 50 km from the Indo-Bangladesh border). Due to its high altitude of 1365 m above sea level, Jowai experiences warm summers with cool to chilly winters.
Jowai is an important business and education hub for the entire district, catering to local students as well as those from the adjacent parts ofAssam and Bangladesh. It is well equipped with infrastructure including schools, colleges, hospitals, and a postal service. As with the Nongphlang (Khynriams), Pnars too have a matriarchal society where daughters inherit the family property.[citation needed]
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Jowai is well connected by roadways toShillong, which is64 km awayArchived 12 August 2020 at theWayback Machine. The town of Jowai lies onNational Highway 44 (NH 44) which connects Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur, specifically Lamka (Churachandpur), where Highway NH 44 is the sole link to it.
A few buses operate along this route. The district's most popular modes of transport are the Tata Sumo and the Tata Indica, which function on a shared passenger basis. The charge for traveling from Shillong to Jowai by either a Tata Sumo or Tata Indica is र100, with fairly good availability throughout the day.
The district has no rail or air links. The nearest rail service is inGuwahati, Assam, about 160 km away, serving many destinations. Umroi Airport (E.K Mawlong Airport), the nearest airport, has a service with limited flights toKolkata.
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The town is relatively quiet with respect to tourism. Most tourist attractions are a short distance from town, except for the "Iaw Musiang", one of the oldest market areas in the district.Jowai Teer is also one of the popular gambling sports in Jowai. Its origins are unknown.[1]
Jowai Presbyterian Church is the oldest church in Jaintia Hills, built by the Welsh Presbyterian Mission in the latter part of the 19th century. It is one of the few structures in town that retain British architectural influence.
Other Nearby attractions include:
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Behdeinkhlam,[3] a major festival of the Pnars, is a 4-day event that takes place during the month of July. "Behdienkhlam" literally means "to drive away evils and plague." It is a festival celebrated in all parts of Jaintia Hills. Today, local Christians usually do not participate in it, but it is celebrated with pomp and show amongst followers of the traditional Niamtre religion.This festival is associated with a series of religious rites. Dancing takes place in the street to the accompaniment of drums and pipe playing. Although women do not participate in dancing, they have an important role to play at home by offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the ancestors.
Each locality prepares a decorative tower-like pillar structure called arath, carried by 30 to 40 strong people to a small lake at Aitnar for immersion. The festival culminates when thekhnong (the most sacred tree) is brought to the centre of each locality.
In the afternoon, Datlawakor, a form of soccer with a wooden ball, is played between two teams from the upper and lower valleys of the Myntdu River. Those in the team who wins are believed to be blessed with a good harvest.
Other festivals include Laho Dance and Chad Sukra.
Meat and fish, particularly pork, are delicacies. A variety of savoury pork dishes like Jadoh, Doh Khleh, Doh Jem and Doh Snam, are prepared according to traditional recipes. Chicken, fresh fish, and beef are also among the dishes prepared in a unique style distinct from usual curries. A strong smelling Tungtoh, made from fermented beans, and Tungtap, a variant of dry fish, are two of the most popular forms of local chutney.
The major inhabitants are the Pnar people. Other inhabitants include Nongphlang (Khynriams), War, Biates, Karbis, Marwaris, Bengalis, and Nepalis.
As of the 2001 India census,[5] Jowai had a population of 28,430. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Jowai has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 75%. In Jowai, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
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Governance in the ancientJaintia Kingdom was in the form of the Jaintia king (Syiem) from their capitals atJaintiapur andNartiang, with Jaintia Ministers (Dollois) each ruling over a specific "Elaka" (geographical region). The Dollois held high positions in society as well as in the Syiem's court. With the advent of the British rule, the Syiem was ripped off his position, with the Dollois left with some limited powers. Jaintia Hills is divided into twelve Elakas, each under a Doloi (nominal ruler).
Apart from the ancient form, people of Jaintia Hills have their representatives in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly seated at the capital, Shillong. The present Member of the Legislative Assembly from 2-Jowai Constituency is Mr. Wailadmiki Shylla,National Peoples' Party.
Jaintia Hills District also has its own Autonomous Council as per the provisions given in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, known asJaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (which is separate from theKhasi Hills Autonomous District Council, which is seated at Jowai town itself). Jowai town has four members of district council constituencies.[6] They are:
One member is elected from the Shillong Parliamentary Seat as a Member of Parliament (seated at New Delhi). The incumbent MP is Vincent Pala, representing theINC, a domicile of East-Jaintia Hills.
The upcoming MLA Election is scheduled to be held in 2018 followed by the MDC and MP Elections in 2019.
Technical institutes
Nursing institutes
Colleges and institutions providing higher studies
Prominent schools and higher secondary institutions
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