Nongkrem dance on Nov 24, 25

SHILLONG: Despite COVID-19 cases rising in the state, the Nongkrem dance (Shad Hima Khyrim) is set to be celebrated on November 24 and 25 with limited participants.
In this regard, the Syiem of Hima Khyrim, Balajied Singh Syiem, has written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to inform him that festival will be celebrated at Smit while restricting the number of participants in the wake of the pandemic.
The Syiem of Hima Khyrim along with Paiem Habapan Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Sordar Raid Wahkhen, John F Kharshiing, Spokesperson, Hima Khyrim, met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday to apprise the government of modalities of 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 will celebrate its annual thanksgiving festival—Nongkrem dance — at Smit, on the said dates.
He said that the Durbar of Hima Khyrim intends to restrict the participation in the dance besides rites and rituals to only the main functionaries of the Hima, who will, at all times and circumstances, adhere to social distancing norms and preventive measures as recommended by the district administration and Health department.
The Syiem added that the Durbar will 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 at 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.