Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma attends Wangala Festival golden jubilee in Meghalaya
The chief guest joined the 50th edition of the Garo community's harvest festival at Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the golden jubilee celebrations of the Wangala Festival on Thursday at the Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills district, according to The Shillong Times. The four-day event, held from November 11 to 14, marks 50 years of the traditional Garo harvest festival.
The celebrations featured around 1,000 drums and 2,000 dancers. Sarma, who attended the second day of the festivities, participated in the Rugala rituals and played the 'Dama', an iconic Garo drum. He also tasted 'Bitchi', a traditional Garo rice beer.
Addressing the gathering, Sarma said the relationship between Assam and Meghalaya is built on shared history, culture and emotions. He described the festival as a reflection of indigenous knowledge and traditional wisdom that showcases a close relationship with nature.
The festival, which began in 1975 with 10 drums, later grew to 100 drums following a suggestion by former Meghalaya Chief Minister Captain Williamson A. Sangma. Organisers are now eyeing a Guinness World Record attempt with the 1,000-drum performance.
The event was attended by Meghalaya Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Timothy D. Shira and Wangala Festival Committee President Ronald Reckman Sangma. Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar and Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat are also scheduled to attend the celebrations.