Tura, Nov 10: A spectacular show of rich traditional and ethnic life of the Garos was on display during the grand finale of the Hundred Drums Wangala festival that reverberated across the Chibragre hills of Garo Hills, near Tura, on Saturday as the sun went down over the horizon and the drum beats of the Dama ( garo drum) echoed over the valley.
Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Deputy Director General North East Anil Oraw expressed his gratitude and lauded the wangala committee members for their effort and dedication in preserving the authentic culture and traditions of the community and also said that the festival was well organized with perfect venue set up far more better than other festivals. Calling everyone to enjoy the festival with cultural fervor, he said that people especially youth try to look forward towards the West but reminded everyone that the culture and traditions of our forefathers are more important and we should live and follow these traditions in future.
Highlighting the importance of this traditional festival, the Chief Guest also ensured to extend his support from the Ministry of Tourism in the coming years.
While speaking as the Guest of Honour for the festival, Director, North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Ministry of Culture, Prasanna Gogoi, said that we should not forget our roots and identity of our forefathers and urged especially the youth to understand and preserve the culture and identity for future generations. He also insisted that everyone should learn the cultural practices and rituals and take the festival to greater heights in future.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Jagdish Chelani also took the effort to address the gathering in Garo language and elaborated on the importance and significance of the wangala festival.
Stating that Wangala is the biggest festival of the Garos, Chairman of the Wangala Committee Ronald Rikman Sangma highlighted the tradition and rituals of the Wangala festival and called each one from the community to support and cooperate in preserving the culture and traditions of our forefathers. Further, he expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries and to all well wishers of the festival.
The Wangala Anthem, “Dimdim Dimchong Dachichong” which is the age old popular folk song composed by Late Millickson K Sangma is sung everyday 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.
Tourist from far and beyond including France, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Tamil Nadu, Pune, West Bengal, Assam, and media persons from various places came to witness the wangala festival and enrich themselves with rituals and show to the world about the rituals are called Rugala which is performed a day ahead of the wangala by the Nokma (A Village Chief) in which the offering of the first hand 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 ten dance contingent who participated in the competition were Gondenggre, Sadolbra, Chibragre, Chidaogre, Dalbenggre, Mikalbra, from West Garo Hills, Rapdikgre from East Garo Hills, Wanokdamgre from North Garo Hills, Chepagre and Bangkabra from South West Garo Hills Districts. The winner of this year’s wangala competition is Chidaogre followed by Gondenggre and Dalbengre dance troupes.
Assistant Director Tourism, Government of India, Anil Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director, NEZCC Oliver Temsu Pongen, Inspector General, Shillong, H Singh Dhillon, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Jagdish Chelani, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Manish Kumar, Host of distinguished dignitaries, District Officials, Members of the Wangala Committee and people all over Garo Hills region attended the festival.
Meanwhile, the Second Edition of the Krimkro Music Festival 2024, a vibrant celebration of our cultural heritage also enliven the wangala evening with series of captivating performance by musical talents of the region featuring Riprap, Da Suraka, Saldorik and others which was organized by the Department of Tourism, at Wangala A’dam, Chibragre.
