HT Correspondent
KHERONI/DIPHU, Jan 4: A festive atmosphere has enveloped villages across Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong as the Karbi community prepares to celebrate Rongker Karkli, one of its most significant traditional festivals on January 5. Some Karbi villages, however, have chosen to observe the festival later, with celebrations planned on February 15.
The region is abuzz with activity as men and women join hands to clean their villages and decorate ritual sites. Rongker is an annual community prayer deeply rooted in Karbi tradition and reflects the rich cultural heritage of the community.
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Primarily an agrarian society, the Karbi community performs Rongker to seek divine protection for their villages. The rituals focus on warding off evil spirits and negative influences, praying for good health and protection from diseases and natural calamities and seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest in the coming agricultural cycle.
Preparations for the festival highlight a strong sense of unity among villagers. From remote hamlets to larger settlements, traditional religious customs are being meticulously followed to ensure that the ceremonies are conducted with due sanctity.
As the sun set on Saturday, final arrangements were being put in place to welcome the deity and to pray for the well-being of the community in the year ahead. Among the villages set to celebrate Rongker on Sunday is Solok Enghee Arong in West Karbi Anglong. Village community leader Sikari Kathar said that according to traditional beliefs, the community offers prayers and sacrifices once a year for good health, a good harvest and the overall well-being of the village, while also expressing gratitude to the almighty.
Hundreds of Karbi villages across Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong observe Rongker on January 5, although there is no fixed date for the festival. Each village decides a convenient time after the harvest season. Another date on which a large number of Karbi villages traditionally observe Rongker is 5 February.
