Jowai


Jowai is the headquarters of West Jaintia Hills district of the state of Meghalaya, India and is home to the Pnar, a sub-tribe of Hynniewtrep people. It is a scenic place located on a plateau surrounded on three sides by the Myntdu river bordering Bangladesh to the south. Due to its high altitude of 1380 m above sea level, Jowai experiences warm and pleasant summers with cool to chilly winters.
Jowai is an important business and education hub of the entire district catering to students from all over the district as well as the adjacent parts of Assam and Bangladesh. It is well equipped with amenities such as schools, colleges, hospitals, post office etc. Like Khynriams, Pnars have a matriarchal society where the daughters inherit the family property.

Connectivity

Jowai is well connected by roadways to Shillong which is 60 km away. The town of Jowai lies on the National Highway 44 which connects Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur, specifically Lamka, where the Highway NH 44 is sole link to it.
There are a few buses that ply through this route but are overcrowded with people and goods. The most popular and convenient mode of transport in the district is the Tata Sumo and the Tata Indica that function on a shared passenger basis. The cost for travelling from Shillong to Jowai by either a Tata Sumo or Tata Indica is र100 with a fairly good frequency all through the day.
There is no rail or air link in the district. The nearest and convenient rail head serving most destination is in Guwahati, Assam, about 160 km away. Umroi Airport, is the only nearest airport, has a service with limited flights to Kolkata.

Tourist spots

The town does not have much to offer as most of the tourist spots lie a few distances away from town, except for the buzzing market area "Iaw Musiang", one of the oldest in the district.
Other attractions include:
Behdeinkhlam, a major festival of the Jaintia takes place during the wet and rainy months of July. It is a festival that lasts 4 days. 'Behdienkhlam' literally means 'to drive away evils and plague'. It is a colourful festival that is celebrated in all parts of Jaintia Hills. Today, the Christians usually do not participate in it, but is celebrated with pomp and show amongst the followers of the traditional religion 'Niamtre'.
This Festival is connected with a series of religious rites. People dance on the street to the accompaniment of drum beating and pipe playing. The women do not participate in the dancing but 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 a 'rath'. These are carried by 30 to 40 strong people to a small lake at 'Aitnar' for immersion. The festival climaxes when the khnong is brought to the centre of each locality.
In the afternoon 'Datlawakor' is played between two teams from the upper and lower valleys of the Myntdu River. It is a kind of soccer with a wooden ball. Those who win are believed to be blessed with a good harvest.
Other festivals include 'Laho Dance' and 'Chad Sukra'.
Meat and fish particularly pork is a delicacy. A variety of pork items like Jadoh, Doh Khleh, Doh jem, Doh Snam are prepared in a traditional way to savor your taste buds. Chicken, fresh fish and beef too are on the list of mouth watering dishes, prepared in a unique style different 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.

Demographics

The major inhabitants are the Pnar people. Other inhabitant include Khynriams, War, Biates, Bhois, Marwaris, Bengalis, Nepalis.
As of the 2001 India census, 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.

Politics

Governance in Ancient Jaintia kingdom was in the form of a Jaintia king from Bangladesh town in Jaintiapur Minister ruling over a specific "Elaka" had been handed over under the absence of the Syiem. The Dollois held high positions in society as well as 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.As of today Jaintia Hills is divided into twelve Elakas, each under a Doloi.
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 as Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council separated from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, which is seated at Jowai town itself. Jowai town has 4 Member of District Council Constituencies. They are:
  1. Mr. Madonbai Rymbai
  2. Mr. Marki Mulieh
  3. Mr. Moonlight Pariat
  4. Mr. A.Shullai
One member is elected from Shillong Parliamentary Seat as a Member of Parliament. The incumbent MP is Mr. Vincent Pala, INC, 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.

Institutions in Jowai

Technical institutes
Nursing Institutes
Colleges and Institution providing higher studies
Prominent schools and higher secondary institutions