The 49th edition of the Wangala Festival, Meghalaya’s most celebrated cultural event of the Garo community, kicked off today at Chibragre Wangala A’dam near Tura. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, officially inaugurating the vibrant festivities.
Known as the “100 Drums Festival,” Wangala is a traditional harvest celebration honoring Saljong, the Sun God of fertility and prosperity. The festival marks the end of the agricultural season, expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest, and heralds the onset of winter in the Garo Hills.
The two-day festival—or sometimes extended to a week—begins with the “Ragula” ritual in the village chief’s residence, followed by the “Kakkat” ceremony. Men and women don traditional attire and feathered headgear to perform the iconic Wangala dance, moving in two parallel lines to the resonant beats of long oval-shaped drums, gongs, and buffalo-horn flutes. The powerful rhythm of the 100 drums fills the hills, creating an atmosphere of joy, unity, and cultural pride.
Beyond celebrating the harvest, Wangala is a platform for preserving and promoting Garo traditions, music, and rituals, showcasing the community’s rich cultural heritage. The festival serves as a living testament to Meghalaya’s tribal diversity and enduring heritage, drawing attention from across the Northeast.