Assam Chief Minister Attends Golden Jubilee of Wangala Festival, Celebrates Assam-Meghalaya Ties
Assams CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlights cultural bonds at the 50th Wangala Festival in Meghalaya, emphasizing shared heritage.
Guwahati, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma participated in the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Wangala Festival in Meghalaya on November 12. This event highlighted the deep cultural, historical, and emotional ties between the two neighboring northeastern states.
Sarma attended the 50th edition of the traditional harvest festival at Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills as the chief guest. The celebration featured a vibrant display of local culture, with approximately 1,000 drummers and 2,000 dancers taking part.
In his address, Sarma noted that the Wangala Festival provides a unique platform for the people of Assam and Meghalaya to celebrate their shared heritage and strengthen their relationships. He remarked, “The bond between Assam and Meghalaya extends beyond geographical boundaries. It is built on a shared history, culture, and emotions.”
He urged the younger generation to stay connected to their roots while embracing modern education, technology, and emerging professional opportunities. He emphasized the importance of preserving native languages, traditional practices, and cultural identity.
Sarma explained that festivals like Wangala represent more than just cultural displays or tourist attractions. They reflect indigenous and traditional knowledge, showcasing the close relationship communities have with nature, their beliefs, and their ways of life.
The Golden Jubilee edition celebrates 50 years of the Wangala Festival, which began in 1975 at Chandmari Playground in Tura with just 10 drums. The event evolved into a major cultural festival, increasing the number of drums to 100 following a suggestion from former Meghalaya Chief Minister Captain Williamson A. Sangma. Known as the 100 Drum Festival, Wangala is the main harvest festival of the Garo community, celebrated to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Additionally, Sarma mentioned the Assam government’s initiatives to preserve local faith and culture, including the establishment of a dedicated department for this purpose. The four-day festival, running from November 11 to 14, also featured Meghalaya’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Timothy D. Shira and Wangala Festival Committee President Ronald Rekman Sangma.
