JOWAI: The four-day annual Discover Jaintia Tourism Festival concluded on Saturday with the Brikwai -Areca nut festival – at Nongtalang village.
The final day also witnessed a showcase of traditional War Jaintia games, practices and cultures, besides other entertainment.
Hundreds of people from across West Jaintia Hills witnessed the programme organised by the Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society (JTES) and supported by the West Jaintia Hills District Administration, the Meghalaya Tourism Department and the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, JTES founder president M.S. Lhuid reminded the people that Discover Jaintia is organised to boost tourism and to protect the environment and lauded the residents of Nongtalang village and the whole district for their support and active participation.
JTES member and Ri Bhoi District Horticulture officer said, “Tourism will help us solve unemployment problems. Many of our college students long for government jobs soon after their graduation however the government is unable to provide them jobs. Therefore if tourism is boosted in our district and in the State many of our unemployed youths will become independent,” Lakiang said.
JTES president and former MDC Philemon Lyngdoh and Nongtalang Rangbah Shnong Min Lyngdoh also spoke at the closing ceremony.
Shad Rongkli, a colourful cultural dance and traditional games such as Kui-thneng (bamboo climbing), cock fight, Pisa-tyrwiang, Iahslat (wrestling) and endangered traditional practices such as Long-hai, Shohnia, Shoh-chan and others were also showcased on the last day of the festival.
