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Meghalaya
Festivals |
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The festivals
and dances of the tribes in Meghalaya vary according to the
region and tribe. The various dances are an important part of
the festivals. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem or the Nongkrem dance,
Behdiengkhlam festival and Wangala festival are some of the
festivals which are celebrated in the different regions in
Meghalaya. |
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Festivals
in Garo Hills
Wangala or the Hundred-drum Festival is the main festival of
the Garos. The Wangala Festival is held from November to
December. This is a harvest festival celebrated to honour and
offer sacrifices to Saljong, the Sun-God of fertility. The
festival marks the end of the period of toil in the fields,
bringing a good yeild of crops. Everybody whether young and
old joins in the festivities. The men beat the drums and move
forward in rhythmic union. Doregata Dance Festival is another
interesting dance. In this dance, women try to knock off the
turbans of their male partners, using their heads. Another
dance |
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that requires
exquisite skill is the Chambil Mesara or Pomelo Dance. This is
a solo dance form, in which the performer dangles a pomelo or
any other fruit on a cord tied to his waist and then hurls it
round and round.
Festivals
in Jaintia Hills
Behdienkhlam is the most important dance festival of the
Jaintias and Jowais. This festival is celebrated in the Jowai
town in July. It is celebrated after the sowing period is
over. Youngmen make a symbolic driving away of the evil
spirits by beating the roofs of every house with bamboo poles.
The climax of the celebrations is the tussle, as seen in a
tug-of-war, for a large undressed beam of two groups of people
opposed to each other. The Jowais and Jaintias also celebrates
another Dance festival called the Laho Dance, where young men
and women dance on the beat of drum and music and enjoy.
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Festivals in Khasi Hills
The Khasis have two important festivals - Nongkrem Dance
and Shad-Suk Mynsiem. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem or the
Nongkrem dance, is one of the most important festival of
the Khasis. It is held as a thanksgiving ceremony to
God, for the good harvest and as a prayer for peace and
prosperity in the community. Nongkrem Dance is held
annually for five days together in the month of
November. Shad Sukmynsiem is another important festival
of the Khasis. The Shad Suk Myasiem (Festival of Joyful
Heart), is held in Shillong in April. An important part
of this festival is 'pomblang' or decapitation of the
goats, offered by the subjects to the Syiem of Khyrim.
The Syiem is the administrative head of the |
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state. Offerings are made to the
ancestors of the ruling clan. |
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