The Wangala Festival is one of the main festivals in the state of Meghalaya. The Garo community of this Northeastern state celebrate Wangala as their harvest festival just before the onslaught of the winters.
This festival showcases traditional music and dance forms which the locals offer in honor of Saljong, the sun god of fertility for the previous harvest. While the men play their traditional drums, the women perform the traditional dance forms. The music, the dance and the colorful traditional attire all culminate to this exquisite experience. And this is also an attempt to preserve and present not only the culture but also the very identity of this tribe.
Also called the Hundred Drums Festival, Wangala attracts a lot of tourists from all over the country. It is a colorful show of the traditions and celebrations of the Garo tribe of Meghalaya. The chief minister also wished the citizens on the occasion of this festival.
It is generally a two day event and the the ceremony performed on first day is known as Ragula. It is performed inside the house of the chief of the tribe. The second day is known as Kakkat and includes the performance of all members young and old infront of the eagerly waiting crowds.
Also read about the upcoming Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival and the Me.gong Festival in Discover East.
Feature Image : 100 drums festival by Abhijit Bose.
