Shillong, April 23: Hundreds thronged to celebrate the “Chad Sukra”, the annual festival of the Pnar people of Jaintia Hills, on Sunday. It is a celebration signalling the start of the sowing season.

Chad Sukra literally means dance with a joyful heart, with health and vitality. Organised by the residents of Sein Raij at the Mynkoi Loompydiliongpiah field, Jowai, men and women took part in the festival in their traditional best, heavily decked in gold ornaments.

This year, the theme was,”Chaniah tylli heimon mi Blai, kam wa pynkhroo iei wada dep booh mi I ha Pyrthai”, which translates to – Have faith in God’s will, glorify his creation on this Earth.

On a concluding day, Cabinet Minister Commingone Ymbon and Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla graced the occasion.

Every Jaintia farmer waits for this festival before he can begin the sowing of seeds. Rituals and dance are accompanied by the drums and the flute to pray for a bountiful and fruitful season.It is a spring festival comprising of various activities from dance to broadway and street parade.

WWO SRJ, Chillingraij, Loomiongkjam, Panaliar, Dulong, ïongpiah, Loomkyrwiang, Umchangiar, Sein Tylli Lang bad ka Seinraij Ummulong, Seinraij Shillong, Ladthadlaboh among others participated in the cultural performances on Sunday.