TURA: With a view to encourage and preserve the traditional Song Kristan or Chrokjimna, a dance Competition was organized recently at Ampati Deficit Upper Primary School Playground in South West Garo Hills during Christmas holidays.
It may be mentioned that Song Kristan is not a Garo word but derived from a Sanskrit word and therefore, the people of the area decided to rename it as Chrokjinma due to the nature of the group song and dance form, etc
Ampati MLA Miani D Shira who was the Chief Guest on the occasion observed that these are unique style of dance form of the Garo culture which needs to be preserve and encouraged especially by the youth groups to retain and uphold such kind of traditional practice in our society.
She said that Christmas is celebrated very differently in Garo Hills with community meals and dances and the tradition though still in practice needs to continue as the youths nowadays are not so interested these traditional customs.
As many as 16 groups enthusiastically participated in the competition from all over the district. Groups both male and female joined the dance with the beating of the drums and other musical instruments.
Chigitchakgre village won the first prize and Ampati Gonchikol village was the runners up in the competition. Other groups who participated in the competition also received consolation prizes.
