Meghalaya is gearing up for the golden jubilee edition of its iconic Hundred Drums Wangala Festival, with the four-day cultural extravaganza scheduled to take place from November 11 to 14 at Garo Heritage Village, Wangala A’dam, Chibagre, in West Garo Hills district.
The 50th edition of the festival will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Garo community through traditional music, folk dances, indigenous customs and rituals. Observed as a post-harvest thanksgiving festival, Wangala is dedicated to Misi Saljong, regarded as the supreme giver, in gratitude for a plentiful harvest.
The celebrations will feature a series of traditional ceremonies, cultural performances, indigenous sporting events and the festival’s signature Thousand Drums presentation.
Preparations for the event have already begun, with Wangala troupes starting to arrive on November 7. A 10-km Wangala-thon was also organised as part of the preliminary activities. The participating troupes are scheduled to assemble at Wangala A’dam on November 10 for orientation and rehearsals ahead of the main celebrations.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will grace the inaugural programme on November 11 as the chief guest. The opening day’s activities will include the release of the souvenir magazine Chirongdik, traditional prayers, cultural performances and an exhibition dance by the Karbi Anglong Wangala troupe. Pioneers and former office-bearers of the Hundred Drums Wangala Cultural Festival Committee will also be felicitated.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is scheduled to attend the celebrations on November 12. The day’s programme will feature the Ruga dance, Thousand Drums performance, Rugala ceremony, dance competitions, indigenous games and prize distribution. Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar will attend the festival as the chief guest on November 13. Highlights of the day will include traditional Chachat So’a ceremonies, folk music performances, presentations by the Kids Wangala Troupe and the Thousand Drums display. The concluding day’s celebrations on November 14 will be attended by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the chief guest. The programme will feature cultural performances, the Thousand Drums presentation and a dance competition involving 10 contingents.
A special attempt will also be made to enter the Guinness World Records.
Widely known as the Festival of Hundred Drums, Wangala is one of the most important cultural and spiritual celebrations of the Garo community. Traditionally held after the harvest, the festival expresses gratitude to Misi Saljong for blessing the community with agricultural prosperity.
The festivities traditionally begin with the Rugala ritual, during which the Nokma, or village chief, offers freshly brewed rice beer, cooked rice and vegetables to the deity. This is followed by the Chachat So’a ceremony, which formally marks the commencement of the celebrations. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is scheduled to attend the celebrations on November 12. The day’s programme will feature the Ruga dance, Thousand Drums performance, Rugala ceremony, dance competitions, indigenous games and prize distribution.
Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar will attend the festival as the chief guest on November 13. Highlights of the day will include traditional Chachat So’a ceremonies, folk music performances, presentations by the Kids Wangala Troupe and the Thousand Drums display.
The concluding day’s celebrations on November 14 will be attended by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the chief guest. The programme will feature cultural performances, the Thousand Drums presentation and a dance competition involving 10 contingents.
(Northeast News)
A special attempt will also be made to enter the Guinness World Records.
Widely known as the Festival of Hundred Drums, Wangala is one of the most important cultural and spiritual celebrations of the Garo community. Traditionally held after the harvest, the festival expresses gratitude to Misi Saljong for blessing the community with agricultural prosperity.
The festivities traditionally begin with the Rugala ritual, during which the Nokma, or village chief, offers freshly brewed rice beer, cooked rice and vegetables to the deity. This is followed by the Chachat So’a ceremony, which formally marks the commencement of the celebrations.
The golden jubilee edition is expected to offer a major platform for showcasing and preserving the community’s indigenous traditions and cultural identity while attracting visitors and cultural enthusiasts from across the country.
(Northeast News)