TURA: With barely two months remaining from now, the countdown for annual 100-drum Wangala Festival 2017 has begun in a right earnest. The three days of cultural extravaganza which is usually held in the second week of November every year at Asananggre located at 17 kms away from Tura, will begin on November 9 this year and continue till November 11 next.
The Wangala which is the post-harvest festival is celebrated by Garos as a thanks-giving ceremony to Misi Saljong, the deity of agriculture for the good crop bestowed by him. The ceremony involves some rituals and culminates in merry-making and dancing particularly by the young couples to the rhythmic beating of drums and playing of other melodious indigenous musical instruments. There is no fixed time as such for the festival although it is an autumn event; and accordingly, each village within their domain under particular clan chieftain, observed the festival according to their conveniences, in reality.
The 100 Drums Wangala Festival organised by the Wangala committee comprising of dedicated sets of people committed to not only preserve the traditions but also to showcase the rich cultural ethos of the Garos, is basically a symbolic competitive event by ten dancing contingents drawn from all corners of Garo Hills. The festival, which is being held for the 40th occasion this year since inception, is held at an idyllic Asananggre, headquarter of Rongram C.D. Block on the National Highway No. 51.
This year in recognition of presence huge Garo diasporas settled beyond the boundaries of Garo Hills including those in neighbouring Bangladesh and with a view to emotionally integrating and promoting a feeling of oneness among the people culturally and linguistically belonging to same stock, troupes from Goaplara and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam and those from Bangladesh will be invited to participate in the festival although they will not be the part of the competition. Over the years, the popularity of 100 Drums Wangala Festival has grown tremendously attracting large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.