Festivals in Meghalaya

The unconvincing land of Megalaya has much to offer through the plethora of celebrations. Festivals, music and dance enliven the land of Meghalaya. Festivals hold an unusual lure for the people of Meghalya and they have any number of reasons to celebrate. These festivals born out of the age old traditions and culture adorns the glittering land of Mizoram

Festivals in the Garo Hills : Wangala is the most important festival celebrated among the Garos in Mehalaya. All the people irrespective of their religion celebrate it. It is the harvest festival celebrated from November to December every year. Legends state that Wangala is celebrated in the hanour of Saljong – the Sun God of fertility. The festival is symbolic of a yeild of tthe good harvest. It synchronizes with the tourists month celebration, which starts formally on the first day. A grandfeast is held in every home. It is also called the hundred Drum festival. The men beat the drum followed with the dance and music and move forward in the rythemic union. In the dance the females try to knock off the turbans of their male partner, using their head. It provides an occassion for the families to get together with the other people. Its the perfect example of the unity and religious harmony in the state.

Festivals in the Khasi Hills : There are two important festivals celebrated among the Khasis – Nongkrem dance and Shad Suk Mynsiem. Nangkrem is celebratedin the month of October to November. All five days, the hills wears the festive look, men, women and children clad in colourful and new attire. Apart from the ritual prayers the festival involves dancing by the virgins and men, both bachelors and married. The charm of Megalaya and its people can be seen during this time. The womens wears the silk costumes with the heavy jewellery. Men dance to the tunes of flute and drum in the parades. The important event of the festival is the Pombland – goat sacrifice offered by the subjects to the Syiem of Khyrim (the administrative head of the Khasi Hills).

Shad Suk Mynsiem is celebrated in the month of April. It is also one of the important festival of the Khasi’s. The festival lasts for three days. Men and women dress up in the traditional costumes. People decorate their homes with the arches, festoons and eye catching electric displays. The celebration of Shad Suk Mynsieum is as big and famous as the Nongkrem dance.

Festivals in the Jaintia Hills : Behdienkhlam is the most important dance festival celebrated among the Jaintias. The festival is celebrated after the sowing period in the month of July. Young men make a symbolic driving away of the evil spirits by beating the roofs of every house with bamboo poles. The climax of the celebrations is the tussle, as seen in a tug-of-war, for a large undressed beam of two groups of people opposed to each other. Lahoo Dance is the another festival celebrated in the Jaintia Hills. Traditionally it consists of various processions, consisting of dance, music and other shows for the entertainment. Men and women, dressed in traditional fineries hold the arms together and dance into steps.