From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Mawkyrwat, headquarters of the infant district South West Khasi Hills was host to a traditional slow food festival organized by the Khawkylla Community Resource Management Society (KCRMS) – NERCORMP on Thursday.
Altogether there were twenty five stalls showcasing 120 mouth-watering delicacies from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills which were well received by the people. The attraction in this event was the display of rare food items which have almost disappeared from the Khasi society. Wild potatoes from Phlangdiloin, Shiahkrot from Phlangkynshi, Shakho from West Jaintia Hills and even locally brewed coffee from Nongnah delighted the gathering. Indigenous ‘beverages’ like rice beer, millet beer and tapioca beer were also served in bamboo mugs giving the tasters a sense of the age old Khasi tradition.
ADM M S Sangma South West Khasi Hills graced the occasion as the Chief Guest on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner. Sangma expressed his gratitude to the organizers for hosting the fest and added that South West Khasi Hills had every ingredient of becoming a leading tourist hotspot. “We have breathtaking scenic beauty, sparkling rivers, canyons etc” Sangma said. He continued that the new district was being developed without disturbing the natural ecosystem. Sangma also announced that a traditional music fest would be held in Mawkywat soon.
Also present at the fest was Rahul Antao of North East Slow Food & Agro-biodiversity Society (NESFAS). He said that dresses and songs alone were not culture and that food also had a vital role in the cultural aspects of a society.Annelie Bernhart a German national at the fest was also seen moving from stall to stall and tasting the delicacies.
This is the second food fest being organized at Mawkyrwat. Holding such fests provide an impetus to the development of the district enabling it to make its mark in the State map.