Shillong: Union minister for tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the closing ceremony of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Wangala Drums Festival, an indigenous religious and cultural celebration of the A’chik (Garo) tribal community, at Wangala A Dam in Meghalaya’s Chibragre on Saturday.Meghalaya governor CH Vijayashankar visited the festival site on Friday and announced financial assistance for the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival committee to help preserve Garo traditions and cultural heritage.“Wangala is a proud expression of our A’chik identity, culture and rich heritage. May the resounding beats of the 1,000 drums continue to unite our communities and usher in a bountiful harvest of peace and prosperity for Meghalaya and our nation,” CM Conrad K Sangma said.Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attended had the celebrations on Thursday, described the Wangala festival as a “priceless reflection of India’s knowledge and civilisational heritage”.Celebrated by the indigenous Songsarek community, the festival follows a three-phase process. Preparations begin with the Nokma, or village headman, announcing the date, cleaning roads and houses, and brewing rice beer from the new harvest.The Rugala, or Chu-Rugala, is performed on the first day inside the Nokma’s house. Offerings of new rice, vegetables and rice beer are made to Misi Saljong, the Sun God.The second day is marked by Kakkat, when men play dama drums, gongs and flutes, while women in colourful traditional attire perform the Dama Dagota dance as an expression of thanksgiving.On the third and concluding day, villagers visit every household, where they are offered rice beer and food.
