SHILLONG, Oct 3: The capital city of Shillong is all set to host the “Tri -Hills Ensemble”, a two-day festival which attempts to capture the essence of the three vibrant tribes – Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. The event, organised by the Westin Enterprise, will be held on the State Central Library premises on October 14 and 15.
Talking to The Shillong Times on Monday, Westin Enterprise member Allan West Kharkongor said the name “Tri-Hills” suggests the Rilum Khasi, Rilum Garo and Rilum Jaintia and the ensemble is a microcosm of the evolution of culture in the fifty years of Statehood.
“This festival is about revisiting our roots, through our folk theater, food, music, games and handicraft…more importantly, it’s meant to understand the whole thought process and history behind it,” Kharkongor said.
This festival will exhibit the art and culture of the tribes of Meghalaya, expressed in the form of folk dance, folk lore, folk songs, games, dress and costume, food and handicrafts practices.
The unique activities include a mini-Iewduh, which is a model of the traditional market – Iewduh – that will have indigenous fruits and vegetables, wild edibles, local delicacies such as pu-saw, putharo, etc, all available for sale.
This Iew (market) will have food stalls that are iconic to the state. It will not be any random food court since the list includes the likes of Kong Thangkhiew food stall from Umsning, Dukan Meiduh from Mylliem, Pyrda Saw from Nongpoh, Kharang from Jaintia Hills, Dohthad from Laitkyrhong, Dohjem From Sohra, Dohtowel from Kynshi, Doh Snam Laitlyngkot, Bei PWD from Lachumiere, Trattoria from Police Bazar, You n I Café from Umshing-Mawkynroh and the all-popular The Chicken Wagon.
There will also be local brew on sale which will include rice beer from Ri-Bhoi and Riwar; Bitchi from Garo Hills and other locally manufactured wine.
The ensemble will feature unique performances like the Jabolo from Ri-Bhoi, the Shad Ngoh Krai of Wahkhen and the Shad Miet Raid Mawja, which is performed as a ritual to appease God to protect a newly-built home. Certain activities will also revolve around micro-workshops involving local artisans, raconteurs and musicians who will interact with visitors.
The interaction may also take the form of an informal reading group, a collaborative installation and a working paper publication or visual audit.
Theatrical renditions of freedom fighters such as Phan Nonglait and Kiang Nangbah will also be performed by the Panaliar Group from Jaintia Hills; screenings of folk films, activities on photography, storytelling that will go hand with the musical infotainment, which will showcase the chronology of the evolution of Meghalaya’s culture in the past 50 years and handicrafts exhibition and sales of products from different places such as handloom and weave products from Nongtluh, Kharkongor said.
“All these shows, activities and performances are being included in this event not only for entertainment purpose but to create an atmosphere for knowledge sharing, learning and a sense of Unity in Diversity in our culture and heritage especially for the youth and the younger generation of the society,” he added.
