Shillong, Nov 7: An ancient Nongkrem dance Festival of the Khasi tribals ended here at the headquarters and capital of the erstwhile Khasi state, 15 km south from the state capital, amidst pomp, joy and faithful fervour here.
Similar to all other indigenous festivals of tribals in the state, the festival is performed to appease the all-powerful Goddess, Ka Blei Synshar, for a rich bumper harvest and prosperity of the people.
The Syiem (King) of Khyrim along with the high priest performs the Pomblang ceremony, where a goat is sacrificed to appease the Lei Shyllong; the god of Shillong peak and also to the ancestors and ancestress of the ruling clan.
The religious part of the festival precedes dances, in which unmarried girls in all their exotic costumes participate.
Attired in their majestic and traditional regalia, young men also take to the dancing arena in front of the Iing Sad. They hold swords and white Yak hair whisks in their hands, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and haunting tunes of the tangmuri (pipes).
As people come from all over the State of Khyrim, little markets spring up in the field outside the Iing Sad compound adding to the revelry.
Dressed in their best, people throng the dancing arena and the adjoining hills where a colourful fair, featuring local handicrafts and delicacies is held on the occasion every year.
Over the years, the Nongkrem Dance has been attracting a large number of tourists, both domestic and foreign.
Attired in his majestic regalia, the Syiem (King) of Khyrim, Dr Balajied Syiem presided over the festival.
The five-day long religious festival takes place at the ‘Iing Sad’ (thatched palace), the royal abode of the Syiem Sad, Queen Mother or High Priestess of the state of Khyrim.
Earlier, Dr Balajied S Syiem said, “We have preserved and nurtured the rich legacy of the traditional dances bequeathed to us by our ancestors. As inheritors of this cultural heritage, there is an urgent need to safeguard our roots despite the changes witnessed in the modern days all over the world.”
The festival was witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, adviser to the MDA government Ampareen Lyngdoh, VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent Basaiawmoit and other dignitaries.
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