Committee tracing Garo-Khasi origin roots begin documentation plans
Tura, Nov 6: A special high level experts committee that has been tasked with tracing the roots of the Garos from Tibet, and the Khasis and Jaintias from Vietnam and Cambodia, have chalked out plans for the documentation of the journey, announced Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday.
He made the announcement during the opening day of the three-day 49th Hundred Drums Wangala Festival at Wangala A’dam, Chibagre, in West Garo Hills.
“We have constituted a committee to research the tribes of Meghalaya and document their migration from Tibet for the Garos, and from Vietnam and Cambodia for the Khasi and Jaintia communities. The committee has met to discuss the way forward and is chalking out plans to begin documentation of the journey,” he said.
The chief minister broke the news about the early preliminary research that reveals similarities in culture, language, and tradition between the Garos and the people of Tibet.
Sangma also highlighted the government role in promotion and conservation of the rich heritage of the people of Meghalaya, mentioning about grants that have been rolled out for availing research and documentation.
The programme was also attended by MLA of Gambegre Mehtab Chandee Agitok Sangma, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahmmed, and other dignitaries.
Speaking before a large crowd of visitors and tourists who had flocked to the 100 Drums Wangala Festival site on the opening day of the biggest harvest festival of the Garos, the Chief Minister applauded the various contingents from different places in Garo Hills coming together to participate in the gala traditional celebration. “The culmination of the Garo community from different places is a blessing of the Almighty,” said the chief minister while extending his gratitude to the Organising Committee for upholding the culture and tradition of the Garos for the past five decades.
“People from different parts of the country and the world assembly every year to soak in our culture and tradition and this beautiful tradition has also been featured in the Indigo inflight magazine of November 2025. This 3 page article is not a paid article but our festival is showcased because it is unique and requires promotion and people from all over come to learn, understand and witness our culture,” revealed the chief minister.
Sangma also announced the sanctioning of ₹ 20 Crore for the approach road to Wangala A’dam, the venue of the festival.
“Next year which is the Golden Jubilee of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival the government will support to make the event bigger and grander,” and suggested that a State Level Committee is constituted to organise the event, adding that with the government machinery involved and with coordination and collaboration in the festival the Golden Jubilee would be on a grand scale never seen before.
“Late P A Sangma had envisioned the festival to be upscaled to 1000 Drums Wangala Festival. It should be our endevour to make the upcoming golden jubilee celebration more grandeur with the involvement of key government departments in the celebration. I am positive that the golden jubilee celebrations will be grand a great success,” he said.
He also requested the cooperation and the collaboration of the organising committee and other civil society bodies for the larger interest of the Garo community and the preservation, conservation and promotion of the Garo tradition and culture.
The Chief Minister also informed that the state government has taken various initiatives to promote research on culture and our heritage and highlighted the Chief Minister’s Research Grant through which culture, music and tradition of the people are being researched and documented. “Going forward, we want to introduce more intervention to support research for cultural preservation. Not just writing and preservation through books but through video documentation,” he added.
He further informed that training on indigenous and age old tradition and practices will be a way ahead for the youth to learn and understand and to conserve the age old traditions and rich cultural heritage of the state.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahammed, in his address, emphasized the importance of protecting culture and tradition in an increasingly modern world. He urged the youth to remain rooted in their identity and called upon the youth to conserve, preserve ands protect culture as well nature.
Dr. Ahammed further highlighted the State Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, stating that Meghalaya has taken notable steps towards green planning and climate resilience. “We are among the few states that have introduced green budgeting and long-term planning to adapt to climate change and sustainably manage our resources for the next seventy years,” he added.
Earlier, the programme began with prayers by Rev. Dilseng M. Sangma, Rev. Fr. Januarious S. Sangma and Dr. Imnanungshi Imsong, Principal of H.T.C, followed by a welcome address from Sri Ronald Rikman Sangma, Chairman of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee (HDWFC) and the Garo Hills Volunteers Corps (GHV).
The Chief Minister and dignitaries were presented with mementos as a token of appreciation. Students from NEHU, Tura, performed a special dance and the highlight of the day was the spectacular “Hundred Drums Wangala” — a traditional performance featuring drummers, flute players, and women. The day also featured a slow food cooking competition, the inauguration of the handloom and handicraft exhibition, and various indigenous games. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Salgira Sangma, Secretary of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee (HDWFC).
The Wangala Festival is celebrated annually after the harvest season. Organized by the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee (HDWFC) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, the three-day festivities feature traditional dances, drum performances, and rituals that showcase the rich cultural legacy of the Garo people.
