Tura: The annual 100 drums Wangala Festival began on a colourful note at Asananggre village near here, with indigenous games and sports of the Garo community enthralling spectators on the first day of the four-day event.
Wangala is the most significant post harvest festival of the Garos held in the second week of November every year.
It is a thanksgiving ceremony to Misi Saljong also known as Pattigipa Rarongipa (The Great Giver) for having blessed the people with rich harvest of the season.
The festival is organisec in hopes of preserving the cultural identity of the Garos which is fast disappearing due to the influence of western cultures.
The first Wangala Festival was successfully organized in 1976. The festival has grown over the years under the patronage of the government of Meghalaya and nurtured by Festival Organization.
The indigenous games organised as part of the festival comprises Wapong Sika, Jakpong Pea, An’ding O’ka, Rong’ma Chilsusaa, Rong’ma Gosusaa, tug of war amongst others.
