Venues for indigenous rituals to be upgraded

SHILLONG, Nov 7: The Meghalaya government is going to upgrade infrastructure in different places where local indigenous rituals are performed, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said during the Shad Nongkrem celebrations on Monday.
The CM handed over the sanction order to the Syiem of Hima Khyrim, Paiem Balajied Sing Syiem, worth Rs 1 crore out of the total Rs 2 crore sanctioned to the Dorbar Hima Khyrim for Nongkrem Dance and the upgrade of infrastructure in the vicinity of Iing Sad, at Smit.
Stating that the state government last year sanctioned Rs 4 crore for Behdienkhlam festival, Sangma said similar sanctions would be announced on November 12 during the 100 Drums Wangala Festival.
Meanwhile, one of the annual Shad Nongkrem or ‘Nongkrem Dance’ was held at the premises of Iing Sad of Smit, the headquarters of Hima Khyrim.
Beautiful damsels clad in gold ornaments and valiant young men brandishing their swords were a feast to the eyes as they danced in the festival showcasing the age-old religion, culture, and heritage of the Khasis.
Ka Pomblang Syiem, which is popularly known as Shad Nongkrem, is observed during autumn. The purpose of Nongkrem Dance is to seek blessings of Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for abundant agricultural yield and welfare of the people.
The dance is performed by the young men and women of the Khasi tribe in their most traditional and exotic attires.
The female dancer performs the ‘Ka Shad Kynthei’ in the inner circle of the arena, while the men perform the ‘Ka Shad Mastieh’, with swords in their right hand and a Symphiah in their left hand, changing their pace to the beats of the drums and Tangmuri.