Tura, Nov 13: Songs and dances accompanied by merrymaking and sounds of a hundred drum beats marked the conclusion of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival at Chibragre on Saturday evening.
The Wangala Hundred Drums Festival is a celebration of the Garo tribe of Meghalaya. Happy to present the sounds and colours of Garo Hills in this short video of the festival today. May the spirit of Wangala bless each of you!@PMOIndia @kishanreddybjp @MundaArjun pic.twitter.com/Ml1v64Acmf
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 13, 2021
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was the chief guest at the colorful event and in his special address to the crowds of several thousand people who came to witness this annual festival, announced that a sum of Rs. 10 crore has been earmarked for the establishment of the A’chik Heritage Village at the permanent site of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival in Chibragre.
Govt is committed to promote & preserve the rich culture & traditions of the Garos. With this objective, Govt has earmarked ₹10 Cr to develop a Garo Heritage Village at Wangala A’dam with various infrastructure facilities and amenities.@PMOIndia @kishanreddybjp pic.twitter.com/YInTgIIkNp
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 13, 2021
The Chief Minister graced the final day of the 44th Hundred Drums Wangala Festival held for the second consecutive time with Sa’sat Soa ceremony at the proposed permanent site Wangala A’dam, Chibragre near Tura by adhering to the Covid-19 protocols. Government Chief Whip and MLA Williamnagar Constituency, Marcuise Marak was the Special Guest of Honour and Principal, Harding Theological College, Tura I. Imsong was the Guest of Honour of the function.
Adviser to the Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya and MLA North Tura Thomas A Sangma, Chairman, GHADC, Tura Rakesh A Sangma, Executive Members of GHADC, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Project Director, DRDA, Tura C N Sangma, distinguished dignitaries, Government Officials and people from across the districts of Garo Hills attended the festival.
It may be mentioned that on the final day of the Wangala festival, the Nokma (Village Chief) performs Cha’chat So’a ceremony or burning of the incense at the central pillar of his house to mark the beginning of the week-long Wangala Festival. The ceremony concluded with the enthralling performance of the drummers with the Rhythm of 100 drums.
While addressing the gathering as Chief Guest Conrad K Sangma said that it is a matter of great pride and honour that the committee members are trying to revive and preserve the festival adding that the committee are still continuing to preserve the rich traditions of the Garo tribe as well as showcase our culture to others.
Glad to attend the 44th Hundred Drums Wangala Festival at Wangala A’dam, Chibagre, Tura. The Wangala Festival is a special festival that we identify as a celebration of our roots & our identity & as a Garo, it is a great honour to be a part of it.@kishanreddybjp @MDoNER_India pic.twitter.com/K87pIAXKpI
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 13, 2021
Expressing his gratitude to the founding as well present members of the Wangala Committee Festival, he said that organizing this festival is apt in this modern context since most of the present youths have practically no knowledge about the culture and traditions of our tribe. On this context, he said that this will help and benefit the youth to learn, understand and research about the tribes in the region.
He also mentioned that the Tribal Research Institute in Chidekgre, Babadam, West GAro Hills once completed in the month of September 2022 will help to research, document and also showcase the culture and traditions of the tribes of Garos including the culture and traditions of the tribes of North East as well as South East Asia if possible.
Moreover, he also thanked the land donor, the Nokma of Chibragre A’king land Predish Sangma for this Permanent site at Chibragre. Announcing that the Government of Meghalaya had sanctioned 50 lakhs for Wangala Festival, the Chief Minister informed that the Government had also sanctioned 10 Crores from the New Development Bank for the design and infrastructure of the Garo Heritage Village at present permanent Wangala a’dam, Chibragre near Tura.
The Wangala Committee continues to do a tremendous job in organising the Wangala Festival annually. Today we handed over part instalment of ₹20 Lakhs for the ₹50 Lakhs assistance for organising the festival from the Govt. & ₹3 Lakhs assistance released by @TheOfficialSBI pic.twitter.com/wiYxtrp3kH
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 13, 2021
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee (HDWFC), Ronald Rikman Ch Sangma informed that the Traditional Houses of the 12 Garo sub-tribes will be built in this Garo Heritage Village in the coming days and a plot would also be given to other tribes of Meghalaya including various cultural activities all the year round.
Highlights of Saturday’s programme includes the dance competition of ten contingents comprising of Chibragre, Bolbokgre, Tingmangre, Gondenggre, Dura Kangkangre, Sadolbra, Dalbenggre, Wa.nokdamgre, Dingnabra and Rapdikgre dance contingents in which the Winner of the Dance Contingent is Gondengrre, Runners Up is Sadolbra and !st Runners Up is Dingnabra . The winners were awarded with Trophy and Cash Prize and all the contingents were given consolation prizes.
Urging everyone to cooperate and support in preserving the Wangala festival, the President of the Nokma Council and Adviser to the HDWFCSkylance G Momin proposed the vote of thanks.
