Assam CM attends golden jubilee of Wangala Festival in Meghalaya
Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the Garo community's harvest celebrations at the Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the 50th edition of the Wangala Festival as the chief guest on Thursday at the Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills district, according to The Shillong Times. The four-day festival is being held from November 11 to 14.
The golden jubilee celebrations featured approximately 1,000 drums and 2,000 dancers. Sarma participated in the festivities by playing the 'Dama', a traditional Garo drum, and tasting 'Bitchi', the local rice beer.
Sarma said the festival provides a platform for the people of Assam and Meghalaya to celebrate common heritage and strengthen people-to-people connections. He stated that the relationship between the two states is built on shared history, culture, and emotions.
The Wangala Festival, also known as the '100 Drums Festival', is the principal harvest festival of the Garo community. It began in 1975 at Chandmari Playground in Tura with 10 drums. Following a suggestion by former Meghalaya Chief Minister Captain Williamson A.
Sangma, the number of drums was increased to 100.
Sarma also noted that the Assam government has created a dedicated department to preserve indigenous faith and culture. The event was attended by Meghalaya Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Timothy D. Shira and Wangala Festival Committee President Ronald Reckman Sangma.