Go to :  Index File

Garo tribe's Wangala festival begins

     Nishangram (Assam): Assam's Garo tribe began its annual two-day Wangala festival marking the end of the period of working in the fields. It also signifies the onset of winter. Wangala is also known as a 100 drums festival where the tribals offer sacrifices to please their main deity Saljong - the Sun God. Sunamoon A. Marak, a participant from Shillong, said the festival was a way to preserve and promote the cultural identity of Garos. "We are doing this because not many people know about our culture and we want to show them our culture. Right from the begining to the end. And by participating in this they can get to know about us," said Marak. Parshus K. Sangma, president of Garo Students Union, the organisers of the event, said that they would carry the festival to metros for the urbanites to have a taste of their culture. "We are planning to exhibit this festival even to some places like Delhi, Bonbay and other metropolitan cities in India. And if possible we want to do this even outside India," said Sangma. The festival was first held in Garo hills district town of Tura in December 1976.
-Dec 2, 2004