Tura, Nov 9: Offering of the first traditional rice-beer along with the newly harvested and cooked rice with local vegetables to Misi Saljong, the Great Giver, marked the second day of rituals for the 100 Drums Wangala Festival at the Garo Heritage Village- Wangala A’dam, in Chibragre, near Tura on Friday.
Known as Rugala ceremony, the ritual is performed by the village chief or Nokma on the eve of the Wangala Festival.
Extending his warm greeting to the Garo Community on the occasion, the chief guest and Registrar General of the High Court of Meghalaya, E Kharumniud expressed his gratitude to the Wangala Committee members for being able to witness this festival.
Mentioning that this is a thanksgiving ceremony, he said that each one of us should be thankful for the bountiful blessings we receive and added that this thanksgiving ceremony would promote peace, harmony and prosperity to the community as well as to the people of the State of Meghalaya. He also expressed hope that this festival would scale greater heights in future and spread the message of love and brotherhood among the community.
Chairman, Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee, Ronald Rikman Sangma stated that organizing the greatest festival of the Garos it is a matter of great pride for us and is able to preserve and showcase the rich culture and traditions of the Garos to others.
Informing that the infrastructural developmental activities in the Garo Heritage Village are progressing in a phased manner, he said that many more have to be done in future and expressed his thankfulness to the Government for their constant support and also look forward to the government for their continued support in future for completing the project.
Other than the rugala ceremony, the second day of the festival witnessed the Folk Song Competition organized with an aim to promote the traditional music and musical instruments of our tribe.
