TURA: Finishing touches are being given for the upcoming 100 Drums Wangala festival that begins from Thursday in which Wangala troupes from Assam’s Karbi Anglong district and the Khasi Hills will take part alongside the troupes from the Garo Hills.
The 40th celebration of the 100 Drums Wangala festival gets underway in the village of Asananggre, 17 kms from Tura, on Thursday and the grand finale will take place on Saturday.
India’s Union Minister of State for Tourism, K J Alphons, is to attend the second day of the celebration as the chief guest although his arrival has not been confirmed in view of a cabinet meeting scheduled in New Delhi the same day.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will be the chief guest on the final day when the ten Wangala troupes take to the field and the beat of a hundred traditional drums will reverberate across the surrounding hills.
This is the first time a Wangala troupe from Karbi Anglong is taking part in the 100 Drums Festival.
However, the Wangala troupe from neighbouring Bangladesh will not be able to make it to the festival, once again. The troupe was unable to make it to the 100 Drums festival for the last two years due to various constraints.
The three-day event will feature indigenous games, beginning from Wednesday, a handloom and handicraft exhibition, felicitation of martial arts winners and former chairman of 100 Drums Wangala Festival, Mr Leander K Marak, who was one of the pioneers who took the initiative to organize the festival with a view to preserve the culture and tradition of the Garos.
