Me’mang Anti Cha’ram

Me’mang Anti Cha’ram, when translated literally, means marketplace of the spirits. Another site that is part of Balpakram, it is also referred to as the Civets’ Market or Matchruni Anti.

The name comes from the legend that the matchru (civet) owned the market. An interesting fact about matchru is that he was the uncle of Goera who, as the legend goes, was the god of thunder and lightning.

The market welcomed not just the spirits of the dead but animals and humans as well. It was not an unusual sight in the olden days; a regular barter system had been set in place for the three groups, conducted by matchru.

The site where the market was said to have been, is at a particular rocky slope at Balpakram.

People who go there can bear witness to footprints, hoof prints and traces of many animals and birds. One can find prints of elephants, tigers, rodents and other creatures, which have been embedded in that small area. Legends say these are traces of all creatures who used to trade in the market.

There is no denying that there are traces of various birds and animals on the rock. Even more mysterious is that such traces can be seen only in that area and nowhere else. Besides the beliefs of the Garo people, the reason behind this phenomenon is still unknown.