TURA: As the grand finale to the annual 100 Drums Wangala festival draws near on Saturday, the crowds are swelling by their thousands with each passing day with tourists, foreign and domestic, arriving at the scenic Asananggre village to catch a glimpse of the annual post-harvest celebration of the Garos.
As part of the ongoing celebrations and keeping with the true spirit of age old traditions, the Rugala ceremony was performed on Friday in which the Nokma (village chieftain) performed the rituals wherein the offerings of the first hand special rice-beer along with cooked rice and the vegetables are given to Misi Saljong, the Goddess to bless, mankind with plentiful food grains.
The opposition chief whip and Dadenggre legislator James Pangsang K Sangma, witnessed the Rugala ceremony as the chief guest on the third day of the festival. Taking part in the colorful traditional festival for the first time were also Dr. Numal Momin, Garo MLA from Bokajan Constituency of Assam and Supreme Court advocate and Adviser to Assam government Nalin Kohli, besides foreign tourists and the local public.
A Wangala troupe from Karbi Anglong in Assam is taking part in this year’s celebrations.
While addressing the gathering, James Sangma lauded the effort, hard work and dedication of the organizing committee for successfully organizing the festival for 40 years now despite facing various constraints and challenges on their way. He reiterated that the committee has contributed immensely for showcasing this wonderful fusion of tradition, culture and history of the Garo culture to world over and is trying to attract tourist in different ways keeping in mind the traditional background of the society.
Stating that people without the knowledge of past history and culture is like a tree without its roots, therefore, preserving the culture and traditions of our forefathers is necessary, he added. He also mentioned about the need to safeguard our identity and passed it on to the younger generations so that they can uphold and maintain it for the generations to come.
While delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Wangala Committee, Luxley Robinhood Ch Momin narrated the background and history of organizing the Wangala festival with an aim to safeguard and preserve the culture and traditions of our forefathers. He also mentioned how the Wangala committee began humbly in the year 1976 with only Rs. 9,000/- and 10 drums dancing contingent.
During the program, the Chief Guest along with other dignitaries felicitated the winners of Mix Martial Arts both in the National and International level. Eddy D Marak, 1st Dan Black Belt, Creatwind Ch Momin, 1st Dan Black Belt and Jarmin M Sangma, 3rd Dan Black Belt have clinched the medals in the North East Martial Arts Championship 2017 and were selected for participating in the International Martial Arts Championship Tournament to be held at Bangkok, Thailand on March 2018.
Wangala troupes from North Garo Hills, Shillong College, Shillong, Karbi Anglong, Tura Government College, Tura also participated in the program.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will attend the grand finale as chief guest on Saturday morning which will begin with Cha’chat So’a ceremony or burning of incense at the central pillar of his house to mark the beginning of the celebrations.