Barter today

Money has replaced barter almost everywhere, but some barter still happens today!

The Junbeel Mela (jun = moon in Assamese, beel = wetland) is a three-day yearly fair at Junbeel, in Morigaon district, Assam. It begins with Agni Puja, worship of fire, a prayer for everyone's wellbeing.

It started for political reasons, not trade. From the 15th century, chiefs of the Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi and Jaintia communities of Assam and Meghalaya met every year to talk about political issues and stay friends.

People began gathering around these meetings, bringing their produce to swap, and it grew into a fair. It's still an important social and cultural event.

Barter starts early in the morning. Hill people bring roots, vegetables, fruit, herbs, spices, and handmade goods from forest materials. They swap these with people from the plains for rice cakes and other foods that can't grow in the hills.

Why does barter work here? The hills have what the plains lack, and the plains have what the hills can't grow. And everyone comes to one place on the same days. The double coincidence of wants is built in!

Closer to home:

• book swaps: trade your old books with friends, or pass textbooks to juniors and get books from seniors. Your jungle adventure for their mystery story, no money spent!
• old clothes for new utensils: a vendor comes to the door, offering new utensils for your old clothes or sarees. You clear out what you don't need; the vendor collects cloth to resell, reuse or recycle. Both gain!