The two-day Ri Kunai La Tynrai Festival, which was held at Umden village in Ri-Bhoi, concluded today.
The festival, meant to conserve the culture, identity and local dialect of the indigenous people, was organised by the Nongtluh Eri Farmers Association.
Villages under Raid Nongtluh were well represented at the festival where they exhibited their unique food, weaving, dance and storytelling traditions. Food was cooked the traditional way, with local rice beer available to wash it all down.
Weavers were enthusiastic to explain how a finished product like handwoven ryndia silk is made from scratch.
Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, was the chief guest, praised the organisers of the festival for giving the local people a chance to showcase their rich cultural traditions and said he hoped that more such events are created to give the younger generations a sense of their roots.
The festival was also a boon for the local economy, with jewellery maker R Mawtong saying, “I use local products to make earrings and hair clips. I usually do not sell my wares beyond the village, except to a few friends and old customers. I am not able to expand my business due to financial issues but, hopefully, I will be able to do so one day.”
