TURA, Nov 12: The fervour of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival touched the zenith on the concluding day as the beat of drums reverberated across the Wangala A’dam as a record number of people attended the festival on its final day.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in his address as the chief guest of the occasion, highlighted the importance of traditional festivals. He said the festivals are integral to the tribal way of life and crucial to preserving their unique identity, customs and traditions.
“It is a celebration of who we are. It is a celebration to showcase to the world who and what we are,” he said.
He appreciated the Wangala committee members for their effort and dedication in preserving the rich culture and traditions of the Garos with the help of this festival and for making the event happen successfully every year.
Speaking about the importance of languages, the CM said that the resolution to include Garo and Khasi languages in the Eighth Schedule has been adopted by the government.
He added that the nomination for Literary Awards to promote local writers is in the pipeline. Moreover, the government is supporting local artisans by providing a platform and financial assistance to promote their products, Sangma said, adding that more support for promoting traditional artist and artisans from the state is likely.
He then expressed his happiness to see the progress of the Garo tribes in other states and countries, while exhorting the organising committee members to make Garos residing in other parts of the country and beyond to be part of the annual Hundred Drums Wangala Festival in future.
The CM also announced during the festival that a sum of Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned from the Meghalayan Age Ltd., which would be implemented by the Tourism department in developing the necessary infrastructure and development of the Garo Heritage Village, the permanent site of the Wangala Festival.
Talking about the efforts of the government to continue and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Garos, he said that such festivals should be made bigger and better in the years to come.
Guest of honour and Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr Numal Momin, expressed his gratefulness to the organising committee for the opportunity to witness the festival firsthand and conveyed his heartiest greeting to all.
Meanwhile, PHE Minister Renikton Tongkhar, while greeting the people during the Wangala Festival, said that he is proud to see the progress of Garo tribe in other states and abroad.
Earlier, while welcoming the gathering, the chairman of the Wangala Committee, Ronald Rikman Sangma, highlighted the significance of the festival and the need to preserve the traditions of the Garos.
The Wangala Anthem — ‘Dimdim Dimchong Dachichong’ — which is the age-old popular folk song composed by Late Millickson K Sangma was sung every day of the festival.
It may be mentioned that the 100 Drums Wangala is the post-harvest festival of the Garos, consisting of various thanksgiving rituals followed with merrymaking, music and dance.
Tourists from far and beyond including France, Gujarat, Bangalore, Kerala, Assam, Sikkim and media persons from various places came to witness the festival and enrich themselves with rituals called Rugala, which is performed a day ahead of the Wangala by the Nokma in which the offering of the first-hand special rice beer along with cooked rice and vegetables are given to Misi Saljong, the Giver and Sa∙sat So∙a ceremony or burning of the incense at the pillar of his house was performed the next day to mark the beginning of weeklong wangala festival.
The ten dance contingent who participated in the competition were Dura Kangkangre, Gondenggre, Chibragre, Chidaogre, Sadolbra, Dalbanggre from West Garo Hills, Wanokdamgre from North Garo Hills, Rapdikgre from East Garo Hills and Chepagre, and Bangkapara from South West Garo Hills Districts. The winner of this year’s wangala competition is Sadolbra followed by Gondenggre and Chidaogre dance troupes.
Earlier during the festival, the Chief Minister handed over the sanction letter of Rs 2 crore and also handed over the sanctioned amount of Rupees Ten lakh out of 25 lakh to the chairman of the Wangala committee.
Deputy Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Timothy D Shira, Adviser to the Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya, Thomas A Sangma, MLA Bajengdoba Constituency, Pongseng Marak, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Swapnil Tembe, members of the Wangala Committee and host of distinguished dignitaries attended the festival.