From Our Correspondent
TURA, Nov 11: The spectacular rhythm of the Hundred Drums Wangala festival touch the zenith on the concluding day witnessed by a record number of people on the third and final day of the festival.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Meghalaya Infratech and Innovations Corporation Limited and MLA Mahendraganj Assembly Constituency, Sanjay A Sangma, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Wangala committee members for their effort and dedication in preserving the rich culture and traditions of the Garos by organising this festival annually.
Highlighting the importance of this traditional festival, the chief guest said that the festival is integral to the tribal way of life and crucial to preserving the unique tribal identity, its customs and traditions.
Mentioning about the former founding member of the Wangala Committee Late LK Marak, he said that he had seen his dedication and contribution for the benefit of the society by being a member of the committee.
Stating that people nowadays do not know how to perform the Wangala dance properly and that they practise and perform the dance whenever there is a function or any event, and therefore, he suggested that the Education department should take the initiative to teach the students in schools and also requested everyone to wear the traditional attire when they participate in the Wangala festival.
Expressing his gratefulness to the members of the Wangala Committee, the guest of honour for the festival, Rupa M Marak, MLA from Dadenggre, said that earlier, he thought that the festival is being organised just for the sake of organising, but after attending the festival in the previous years at Wangala A’dam Chibragre, he started to understand the importance of the festival and the need to preserve the culture and identity of the forefathers for the future generations. He also advised everyone to learn other practices of the culture such as the ritual performed after the person is dead and the procedure while seeking groom, etc.
Lauding the dedicated efforts of the members in organising this festival, he expressed his support and encouragement to continue this festival in a bigger and better way in future.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Jagdish Chelani also took the effort to addressing the gathering in Garo language and elaborated on the importance and significance of the Wangala Festival.
Earlier, while welcoming the gathering, Chairman of the Wangala Committee, Ronald
Rikman Sangma highlighted the history and beginning of the Wangala Festival and the need to preserve the culture and traditions of the Garos.
The Wangala anthem, “Dimdim Dimchong Dachichong”, 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 Germany, Switzerland, France, Bangladesh, Tamil Nadu, Pune, Assam, and media persons from various places came to witness the Wangala Festival and enrich themselves with rituals called ‘Rugala’, which is performed a day ahead of the Wangala by the Nokma (village chief) in which the offering of the firsthand 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 performed on the next day to mark the beginning of weeklong Wangala Festival.
The 10 dance contingents, which participated in the competition, were Gondenggre, Chibragre, Chidaogre, Sadolbra, Buripara, Dalbenggre, Bolbokgre from West Garo Hills, Wanokdamgre from North Garo Hills, Rongjeng from East Garo Hills and Chepagre from South West Garo Hills Districts.
The winner of this year’s wangala competition was Gondenggre followed by Chidaogre and Sadolbra dance troupes.
Host of distinguished dignitaries, district officials, members of the Wangala Committee and people all over the Garo Hills attended the festival.