Gijang Area Achik Cultural Arts and Sports Association organised the 8th edition of the Songkristan Competition at Umshek village situated along the Meghalaya-Assam border in West Khasi Hills district today to celebrate the New Year.
The competition started with a Garo traditional Wangala Dance performed by the local youths of the area. Altogether 10 cultural groups from Maspara, Malapara, Khasi Salbari, Malsapara, Athiabari, Ranikhat, Dogaon-Malang, Umshek, Madankillor, Rongdhali villages under Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency took part in the competition.
Ranikhat took the first position while Maspara and Dogaon achieved the second and third position in the competition. The first, second and third winners were awarded Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
Local MLA Remington G. Momin who attended the competition as the chief guest emphasized the Songkristan programme as an important cultural program for the Garo people. “Through the Songkristan cultural program, Garo people bring peace and prosperity among the community. Songkristan has united the Garo people and to serve enormously for the people. Therefore we celebrate the Songkristan programme every year” he said.
Momin said Wangala is the historical culture of the Garo people and Songkritan is the religious culture of the Christian Garo people. “I hope in the future, both Assam and Meghalaya governments will help the Garo people to organise the programme,” he added.
Momin urged the people from various communities living on the inter-state border to live together in peace and harmony.
Lurshai Kharbani, candidate for MDC Malangkona-Sildubi, A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) president of Aradonga Regional Unit Spren G. Momin, General Secretary Jenggrim A Marak, Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People President of Aradonga regional unit Trellingstar Shira, Kamrup District GSU also took part as invited guests along with hundreds of Garo villagers from both Meghalaya and Assam.
