From Our Correspondent
TURA, Oct 28: All preparations are under way in full swing for the much-awaited 49th Hundred Drums Wangala Festival—the grand post-harvest thanksgiving celebration of the Garos—scheduled to be held from November 5 to 8 at Wangala A.dam (permanent site-cum-Garo Heritage Village), Chibragre, near Goeragre, on the outskirts of Tura.
Celebrated in honour of Misi Saljong, also known as Patigipa Rarongipa—the giver and provider—the Wangala Festival is a vibrant expression of the Garo people’s gratitude for a bountiful harvest and an annual showcase of their rich cultural heritage.
The festival is organised by the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee (HDWFC) with support from the state government and sponsorships from various banks, business houses and institutions. This year’s edition will feature ten dance contingents representing different regions of the Garo Hills competing for top honours, while members of local youth groups will also participate as guest performers.
Adding to the grandeur, several eminent dignitaries, including Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Governor CH Vijayashankar, Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma and Lok Sabha member Saleng A. Sangma are expected to attend the 49th edition of the festival on different days. Moreover, two union ministers are also expected to visit the festival this year.
Meanwhile, preparations at Wangala A.dam are progressing at a war footing. The venue is being readied to accommodate thousands of visitors and participants, with special emphasis on improving infrastructure, accessibility, and visitor convenience.
To ensure smooth vehicular movement, the organising committee has arranged separate entry and exit routes. Vehicles entering the venue will take the newly developed route from the Fishery Pond point of the NEHU Rural Development Department via National Highway-51 at Chasingre, while those exiting will use the old route near the Ganol River, leading back to Goeragre on NH-51.
As per the official programme, the celebrations will begin on November 5 with the arrival and rehearsal of dance troupes. The inaugural day on November 6 will feature prayers by church leaders, the presentation of mementoes to dignitaries, the Dimdim Dimchong Dachichong and Wangala Theme Song, followed by the welcome address by HDWFC Chairman Ronald Rikman Sangma, and addresses by the guest of honour and chief guest. The day’s highlights will include a special dance by NEHU students, the introductory round of the Rhythm of 100 Drums, a Slow Food Cooking Competition and the inauguration of the Handloom and Handicrafts Exhibition and Indigenous Games.
The second day (November 7) will include the Rugala Ceremony–the ritual offering of rice beer to Misi Saljong–followed by the first round of the Rhythm of 100 Drums and folk song competitions.
The grand finale on November 8 will witness the much-anticipated 100 Drums Wangala performance, when all ten troupes will come together in a spectacular display of rhythm and colour, accompanied by the beating of drums (dama), gongs (rang), horns (adil), and flutes (bangsi), echoing across the Garo Hills.
Other key events include the Chachat So’a ceremony (burning of incense), dance competition, and prize distribution.
The festival will conclude with a Music Festival featuring performances by popular regional artists such as Krikmro, Salrako Marak, Jetshem, Vinita, and others, bringing the celebration to a vibrant close.
The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival, often described as the heartbeat of Garo tradition, continues to embody the unity, faith and festive spirit of the Garo people, drawing thousands of visitors and reaffirming its place as one of Meghalaya’s most iconic cultural celebrations.
