HT Correspondent
DONGKAMUKAM, Nov 7: The 3rd edition of the Assam Garo Wangala Festival organised by the All Assam Garo Cultural Society (AAGCS) and the 29th edition of the Karbi Anglong Wangala Festival organised by the Karbi Anglong A’chik Cultural Society (KAACS)—a three-day cultural extravaganza showcasing the rich and vibrant culture and heritage of the Garo community—concluded at Tinglijan Garo village near Bokajan on Friday.
The three-day festival began on November 5.
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The spectacular post-harvest thanksgiving is dedicated to the Garo community’s ‘Great Giver’ or god of fertility, Misi Saljong, to whom the community offers the first share of their harvest before consumption.
The three-day festival featured various cultural competitions such as dama (traditional drum beating of different notes), adil sika (buffalo horn blowing), matgrik chroka (warrior dance), traditional games and sports, competitions on traditional cuisine, harvesting dance, modern dance, group songs, and more.
Participants came from Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Goalpara, Kamrup, Sivasagar, Hojai, Udalguri, and other districts.
Addressing the open session on the concluding day, Assam Legislative Assembly speaker Numal Momin assured that the proposal for establishing a satellite-based Garo Autonomous Council (GAC) within Assam would be fulfilled soon.
Momin said, “The BJP, a national party, has always shown love for the Garo community. In 2011, the party gave an MLA ticket to Sandhyarani Sangma from Bokajan, though she did not win. Again in 2016, the BJP fielded another Garo candidate—myself—from the same constituency, and I won. In 2021, I was re-elected and appointed as Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.”
He recalled that during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP government in 2003, the plain Garos were granted Scheduled Tribe status, which, he said, reflected the party’s affection for the community.
He further added that it was during the tenure of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal that the Garo Development Council (GDC) was approved.
Momin lauded chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for declaring November 7 as a restricted holiday in Assam on the occasion of the Wangala Festival.
“The Chief Minister also sanctioned ₹5 lakh for organising the state-level Wangala Festival, which shows the BJP’s immense love for the Garo community,” he said.
He urged all tribes and indigenous communities living in Karbi Anglong to coexist harmoniously as brothers and sisters and respect each other.
Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Central Executive Committee president Tengsak Momin, who travelled from Tura to attend the event, appealed to the Garo community to live peacefully with all tribes while preserving their rich composite heritage and culture.
On the concluding day, cultural troupes representing various communities—including Assamese Bihu groups, Karbis, Bodos, Dimasas, Kukis, Tai communities, Meiteis, Adivasis, and Bengalis—participated in a colourful cultural procession showcasing their distinct attire, dances, and drum performances.
A souvenir was also released to commemorate the celebration.
The open session was presided over by AAGCS president Niharson Sangma and attended by Garo Sahitya Sabha president Frylin Marak; KAAC Minority Development Board chairman Prakash Sangma; senior social worker Jibon Pathak; and other dignitaries.
In the cultural night, Saldorik S Dio, a band from Tura, Meghalaya, enthralled the audience with their energetic performances.
