Hundred Drums Wangala Festival from Thursday

Ten Wangala troupes to beat a hundred traditional drums

GUWAHATI: This year’s Hundred Drums Wangala Festival - the famous annual harvest festival of the Garos of Meghalaya will be kicked off on Thursday at the idyllic Asananggre Village of Rongram Block, 18 kms from Tura.

Notably, this year’s celebration will be marked by two illustrious events - an Eco Marathon to be organized at the break of dawn and the beating of a hundred traditional drums (dama) by 10 Wangala troupes.

The three-day festival will culminate in a grand finale on Saturday during which the 10 Wangala troupes will take part in the beating of a hundred traditional drums (dama) as the young maidens dance alongside.

Notably, the organizer has been speculating participation of a record number of spectators including tourists, both foreign and Indian to witness this colourful traditional festival.

The festival will be graced by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong as the chief guest at the grand finale on Saturday while Health Minister AL Hek will attend the occasion as guest of honour. On the other hand, Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh will attend the Rugala ceremony, on Friday, as chief guest in which the traditional priest, known as ‘Kamal’, will pour rice beer as an offering to the Gods.

Moreover, other colourful events scheduled to mark the three-day mega festival includes, handloom and handicrafts exhibition, a tug-of-war competition and a ‘Masterchef’ competition where culinary specialists will present different food items with traditional flavor, indigenous games like ‘Gando Makal’, a traditional form of wrestling, ‘Wa’pong Sika’, a test of one’s strength in which individuals on both ends of a bamboo push each other, ‘Japong Pe’a’, traditional arm wrestling and others.

The inauguration of the traditional gala will start with the burning of the incense sticks or ‘Sa’sat So’a’ at the house of the village chieftain (Nokma) and the offering of rice and traditional beer after which the Nokma will perform the Grika or warrior dance and will lead everyone from the house to the festival ground.

Also read: Meghalaya News