SHILLONG: The Syiem of Hima Khyrim, Balajied Singh Syiem has informed the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to inform that Nongkrem Dance (Shad Hima Khyrim) will be celebrated at Smit on November 24 and 25 while restricting the number of participants as per the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Syiem of Hima Khyrim along with Paiem Habapan Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Sordar Raid Wahkhen, John F Kharshiing, Spokesperson, Hima Khyrim, met the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday to inform the government about holding the festival.
The traditional leaders have requested the state government for necessary action, so that they may start the preparations in time.
The Syiem stated that the Hima Khyrim would celebrate its annual thanksgiving festival-the Nongkrem Dance (Shad Hima Khyrim) at Smit, on the said dates.
He said that the Durbar of Hima Khyrim intended to restrict the participation in the dance, rites and rituals to only the main functionaries of the Hima, who shall at all times and circumstances, adhere to social distancing norms and preventive measures as recommended by the District administration and Health Department.
He added that the Durbar of Hima Khyrim shall be maintaining constant contact with the aforementioned authorities.
“The religious rites and ceremonies, of which ritual sacrifices are a part, will take place without the usual crowd of onlookers. Announcements to this effect shall be made in Smit in the weeks preceding the festival, so as to inform the public or the extraordinary measures required this year. Only a small number of dancers, in keeping with norms prescribed by concerned authorities, will participate in the dance”, he said.
