Shillong, Nov 14: Joining hands with rest of the country to commemorate the ensuing “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas” – Tribal Pride Week, being launched on November 15, to recognize the valiant efforts of tribal freedom fighters, a Special Programme was held at Kongthong Song & Whistling Village over the weekend to recognize the unique cultural practices of the village as part of the continuing celebrations of Tribal Pride Week.

To recognize the unique cultural practise of “Jingrwai Iawbei” or musical name calling of Kongthong Village which also has earned the village a distinction of being India’s nominee as “Best Tourism Village” to the UNWTO, the various departments and stakeholders are collaborating in the present period by organizing several activities at Kongthong village to highlight and recognize its unique cultural practice which has earned it several accolades within the state and also at International levels.

Activities in Kongthong to mark Tribal Pride Week

Amongst the plethora of activities and in recognition of the unique cultural space it occupies, the village was awarded two special artistic plaques awarded by Arts & Culture Department and Tourism Departments, respectively, which were handed over to the Village authorities and to the custodians of Kongthong’s unique cultural practice.The NIFT prepared 75 flags and distributed it to the performers as part of Azadi Ka Mahotsav, besides 50 flags to the village authorities to mark the State’s Golden Jubilee.
The CRPF also arranged for 75 saplings, which were symbolically planted all over the village as part of India@75.

The Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) anchored a lively and participative workshop on Sustainable Tourism/Sustainable Livelihoods & Intangible Heritage for the village authorities and the village tourism entrepreneurs as part of Village@75.

Other key highlights included ensemble performances and cultural demonstrations of Jingrwai Iawbei-musical name calling, personalized song names and tunes by the 75 performers and children of the Indigenous Agro Tourism Cooperative Society of Kongthong.

Docuseries & Song on Warrior Heroes of Meghalaya 

Commissioner & Secretary of Arts & Culture department, FR Kharkongor, in his address lauded Kongthong village for its unique cultural practice and acclaim earned through cultural tourism. He also informed that the Department has already produced a specially composed Freedom Song composed in folk fusion style extolling and celebrating the three Brave Hearts of Meghalaya- U Tirot Singh, U Kiang Nongbah and Pa Togan Sangma, representing Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes alongwith other Unsung Heroes.

He also informed that as part of the “Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas” and in active collaboration with the ICCR, the Department is at an advanced stage of preparation of a Special docuseries –“Revisiting The Warrior Heroes of Meghalaya”, an audio-video docu-drama based on the 3 Warrior Heroes of Meghalaya which will revisit the heroic lives and their brave exploits against the colonial powers which will be showcased on social media, audio-video and all platforms with a view to honour, celebrate, ignite and inspire the present generation about the exploits of the tribal brave hearts, with a view to further celebrate the ensuing Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas.

It was also highlighted that the State Level Tribal Dance, Art& Craft, Costume ,Tribal Freedom Fighter Memorial functions and special publications have already been planned and will be organized and rolled out in the week leading to January 21st 2022, coinciding with the State’s Golden Jubilee Celebration in 2022.