The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee earned a record for the largest Wangala dance during the event's golden jubilee celebrations.
The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee has earned a Guinness World Records title for the largest Wangala dance in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills, according to ANI. The record was announced by adjudicator Richard Williams Stenning at the Garo Heritage Village in Chibragre on Saturday.
The record attempt featured over 1,000 traditional Dama players performing the Rhythm of Thousand Drums alongside women dancers and warriors. The performance was recorded by a team from Guinness World Records in London at the Wangala Playground in Tura.
The golden jubilee celebration concluded with a ceremony attended by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. The Chief Minister noted that the festival, which began in 1976 with 20 drums, has now reached 1,000 drums, fulfilling the vision of the late P. A.
Sangma.
The event also included a dance competition where Chidaogre won a trophy and Rs 2 lakh. Gondenggre was the first runner-up with Rs 1.5 lakh, while Sadolbra was the second runner-up with Rs 1 lakh.
The State Government provided Rs 6 crore for the organisation of this year's festival. Out of this, Rs 36.65 lakh was sanctioned for the application, adjudication process, and logistics for the Guinness World Records title.
