Tiwa festival concludes in West Karbi Anglong

HT Bureau
DIPHU, Nov 2: The 16th edition of the Langkhon festival of the Tiwa tribe at Langkhon Kham, Amri in
West Karbi Anglong has concluded.
The two-day cultural extravaganza that began on October 30 concluded on October 31. A total of 17
cultural troupes from different areas of Amri took part in the festival, which was organized by the Karbi
Anglong district committee of Tiwa Cultural Society (TCS) in collaboration with the Langkhon Celebration
Committee.
The Tiwa tribe celebrates the harvest festival to offer their rituals to Ramsa devota and other deities for
protection oftheir paddy from pests and to reap a good harvest. They pray for prosperity and good
health of the family and village to ward off evil and sickness.
During the two day festival cultural activities were witnessed. Traditional dance like Langkhon dance,
Moinari Khanthi and traditional song yangli were demonstrated. Traditional sports Plasele and Sam Kava
were also conducted.
Executive member (EM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s (KAAC) animal husbandry and
veterinary department, D. Uphing Maslai inaugurated the festival.
EM Maslai said, “Langkhon and other festivals of the Tiwas are celebrated in order to promote the
culture and traditions of the Tiwa community and take it to a greater height. The younger generation
should preserve these traditions.”
Participating in the festival as chief guest the Baithalangso MLA Rupsing Teron said every tribe and
community has its own distinct culture and tradition and should work for its preservation. He urged all
tribes in the district to live together in peace and harmony.
EM of KAAC, Prabhat Chandra Taro said, “Every tribe has its own cultural organizations, which should
work for the cause of their own culture and language. The Tiwa people are scattered in various parts of
Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. They have their own distinct language, culture and traditions,
which are different from others.”
Former Tripura MLA, Dananjay Tripura participating in the festival said that Tiwasa, Dimasa and Tiprasa
have the same common dialect. They came from the same root. The three communities should work
together in solving their common issues.
Dhansiri member of autonomous council (MAC), Tilutima Hasnu inaugurated the cultural night. Various
cultural troupes staged different traditional and modern dance performances on the occasion.
President, KCS, KADC, Kumud Mithi has expressed his gratitude to the chief executive member of KAAC,
Tuliram Ronghang for funding the Langkhon festival.