HT Bureau,
DIPHU, Feb 16: Taranglangso which is 5 km away from Diphu, where the culture and traditions of the Karbis converge has come back alive again as it resonated with the sounds of Karbi traditional drums beatings and other traditional music and the dancing of Nimso Kerung in traditional procession Rongketong by Karbi youths as the 51st Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) began.
The KYF is an annual cultural festival organised by Karbi Cultural Society (KCS), which started fromFebruary 15 to 19 has been regarded as the biggest ethnic festival in the Northeast.
Related Posts:
The large sprawling area of more than 800 bighas has been adorned with decorative lights and flags of Karbi traditional colours. Men and women, youths and children were seen in their traditional attire and jewellery.
The second day on Sunday (February 16), started with paying tribute to the statue of Karbi legendary musician Rangsina Sarpo and homage to the departed members of KCS and cultural activists associated with KYF.
Youths dressed in their traditional attires and jewelries with the beating of traditional drums, playing flutes and singing and dancing the folk dance and songs took out the Rongketong – cultural procession from zonal camp to the inaugural venue. The KCS president, Chandrasing Kro hoisted the KCS flag followed with the singing of KCS anthem –’Kardom dengtha o Karbi an’ sung by KCS troupe.
Kro in his presidential speech took the name of the founding leaders Roy Enghi, Lunse Timung and several others for their effort in giving birth to the Karbi youth festival and KCS. “We are once again gathered here to celebrate our rich culture and tradition. The Karbi culture and tradition will continue to exist until the world perishes.”
Chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang attending as the chief guest has formally declared the festival open by announcing that the 52nd KYF 2026 (next year) would take place in New Delhi. Making this announcement Ronghang said, “I am very much happy to express my feelings that the Karbis irrespective of their political and religious differences have been united in promoting the culture and traditions of the tribe. In order to promote and take the Karbi culture and traditions and to get international attention and if the KCS agrees the 52nd KYF next year 2026 will be hosted in New Delhi so that people outside Assam know about Karbis and their rich culture and traditions. Budget allocation will be made for all the expenses needed. We will invite our Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the inaugural day and President of India on the concluding day. The KCS central committee, judges and participants will reach early followed by KAAC and departmental officials.”
The CEM also announced the development of Karbi traditional sports Habi kepathu and in all the 26 MAC constituencies the ground for playing Habi kepathu will be constructed by the Art & Culture department of KAAC. The CEM also announced a souvenir ‘Jutang Amanim.’
It was immediately followed with cultural demonstrations like Chong kedam and Nimso kerung – dance performed during the dead ceremony.
During the inaugural programme the KCS felicitated 7 persons from various fields like administration, literature, journalist, sports, weaving and law and order from among the Karbis. They are Norila Phangcho, ACS for being the first Karbi lady as District Commissioner; Longnit Terang as the first Karbi nominated IPS officer; Kache Teronpi, wife of CEM, KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang, for getting first position in Master Games in Badminton; Sabina Teronpi as promoter of Karbi looms & Textiles and craft; Amphu Terangpi for being appointed as assistant professor in Jawaharlal Nehru University; Surendra Singnar, recipient of Sahitya Sparsh Award and Golden Book Award, 2025 and journalist Pratima Enghipi for receiving the JAFA Achiever’s Award, 2024. The inaugural ceremony was attended by MP Amarsing Tisso; Karbi traditional king Longsing Ronghang and other dignitaries.
