Marcel Thabah on the first ever arts and cultural festival of Ri-Bhoi district
ON DECEMBER 19-20, Nongpoh hosted the first ever arts and cultural festival of Ri-Bhoi district. It was organized by Ri-Bhoi Arts and Cultural Society under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Akash Deep.
The show at the NSCA football ground was the finale of several art and cultural programmes in Jirang, Umling and Umsning blocks earlier in the month. The winners from each block competed at Nongpoh, where the crowd-puller festival was inaugurated by former chief minister DD Lapang.
“Festivals such as this will not only help preserve our culture but also go a long way in sustaining us through cultural tourism, thus providing us with employment opportunities while showcasing our cultural uniqueness,” Lapang said. He underscored the need to tap hidden talents to take folksongs, folklores, folk dances, traditional cuisine, costumes and crafts of Ri-Bhoi to the world beyond.
What makes Ri-Bhoi unique is a mix of various ethnic groups such as Bhoi, Pnar, War and Khynriam.
Local folk singer Justin I Sun started the show with a heart-rending performance as part of the opening ceremony. Besides individual and group singing contests, the contests covered painting, sculpture, folk dance and fashion show among others.
The festival also included traditional sports items such as dodge ball (maw poin), archery, cockfight, sack race and marathon held on December 18 at St Paul’s School ground. Other competitions were held at Alpha Higher Secondary School besides the NSCA ground at Paham Syiem. Competitors also came from other parts of the state, making the sports events livelier.
The organizers said physical, psychological and financial help from officials, schools, local residents and volunteers from among the youth of Paham Syiem and NCC of Paham Rinai’s Auxilium Umpohliew Jingstad. Cultural experts like Chesterfield Khongwir provided inputs to the participants and audience on folk music.
“Visitors to Meghalaya look for something special we have to offer and not copy cats, better versions of which they can find elsewhere. Therefore we should proudly exhibit our distinctiveness to the world and not mimic other cultures at the risk killing our own,” said additional chief secretary Barkos Warjri as chief guest of the closing ceremony. He also lauded additional deputy commissioner (Ri-Bhoi) I Mawlong for her able conduction of the festival sponsored by the Department of Arts and Culture.
A touch of generosity was added to the festival by way of Christmas gifts especially to orphans. The Officers Club of Ri-Bhoi District organized these gifts.