Guwahati, November 12: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Garo community’s Wangala Festival as the Chief Guest at the Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
On the occasion, he witnessed various traditional Garo dances and also appreciated the community’s traditional method of brewing rice beer.
Wangala, the principal harvest festival of the Garo community, is celebrated as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty for a bountiful harvest. Also popularly known as the ‘100 Drums Festival’, the Golden Jubilee edition witnessed Garo artistes performing an impressive display of their cultural heritage with 1,000 drums before the Chief Minister. The festival is being celebrated from November 11 to 14.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma expressed immense happiness at being present at the historic occasion marking 50 glorious years of the iconic 100 Drums Wangala Festival. He described it as a privilege to join the Garo community in celebrating an event that embodies the diversity and enduring spirit of India’s indigenous heritage.
The Chief Minister observed that Wangala beautifully reflects the Garo community’s deep bond with nature, unwavering faith in the Almighty and profound gratitude for the blessings of life. Bringing together music, dance, tradition and spirituality, the festival represents a way of life that has been preserved and passed down through generations.
Recalling the festival’s journey, he said that its formal celebration began in 1975 at Chandmari Playground in Tura with just 10 drums. On the suggestion of the then Meghalaya Chief Minister, Captain Williamson A. Sangma, the celebration was expanded to 100 drums, laying the foundation for its present grandeur. He also paid tribute to pioneers such as Hubert Cocksi Sangma and Prabir Raksam, whose vision and efforts helped transform the festival into an extraordinary cultural celebration featuring 1,000 drums and 2,000 dancers.
Highlighting the close association of Wangala with agriculture and the harvest season, Dr. Sarma said that the festival reminds us of the age-old relationship between humanity and nature.
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Anup Sharma is a senior journalist with over two decades of experience covering India's Northeast. Based in Guwahati, Assam, he has worked with leading media organisations including The Times of India, The Telegraph and The Pioneer. He is currently contributing to Agence France-Presse (AFP). His extensive experience in regional journalism brings valuable editorial insight and a deep understanding of the Northeast to EasternLens.
