HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 14: The 32nd Zonal Karbi Youth Festival (ZKYF), organised by various zones of Karbi Cultural Society (KCS) in Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and neighbouring Hojai district of Assam, ended peacefully on Sunday.
The four-day festival showcased the rich culture and traditions of the Karbis started on October 10 at various locations by respective KCS Zones.
Every year, the Zonal Committees under the supervision of the KCS Central Committee organise the four-day ZKYF, bringing together the Karbi youths to celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of the tribe. Interestingly, it is a preparation for the main celebration of the Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) in the month of February.
In this cultural convergence, the young Karbi boys and girls from different KCS units come together to celebrate their rich culture. Assisted by elderly men and women the young dancers dressed in their finest traditional attire dance in the rhythm of traditional drums and dance joyfully as they compete in various traditional and modern competitions.
Traditional competitions like Ritnong Chingdi, Nimso Kerung, Hachakekan, Chong Kedam, Bongoi alun, Oso kepadok, Hanribong alun and many more were conducted. Traditional games like Hambi kepathu, bapthili ke-ap, Thongnokbe kekat were also organised alongsdie solo singing and dance competitions.
To support the Karbi youths celebrate the Zonal KYF, the chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang and MP Amarsing Tisso were also present at the venues.
The CEM visited Tekelangjun, Phuloni, Volongkim Aji, Langpher and several other venues.
Meanwhile, MP Tisso visited Deopani, Ram Lekthe playground, Panjan; Deopani, Dongkamukam, Hongkram, Serdihun Aklam, Jirikindeng and many more, where the festival was organised.
On the concluding evening on Sunday, the MP along with MLA of Diphu Bidyasing Engleng; District Commissioner, Nirola Phangchopi and former Executive Member of KAAC, Kuntila Ronghangpi also attended the concluding function.
In the prize distribution ceremony held later in the evening, the MP declared that he would find suitable land for Singhason KCS Zone so that the Zonal KYF could be held permanently in one place.
He called upon each and every person to contribute to preserving and promoting the culture and tradition of the tribe. Singhason KCS Zonal Committee, president, Sonasing Tokbi and secretary Mohendro Ingti also attended the closing ceremony.
