Shillong, Nov 6: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said a committee has been constituted to study the journey of the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo tribes to trace their lineage and migration to the North East.
“We have constituted a committee, to research on the tribes of Meghalaya and document their migration from Tibet for the Garos, Vietnam and Cambodia for the Khasi and Jaintia community,” Sangma said at the celebrations of the 49th Wangala Festival, the post-harvest thanksgiving ceremony of the Garo community.
He said the committee has met to discuss their way forward and is chalking out plans to begin documentation of the journey. Preliminary research indicates various similarities in culture, language and tradition between the Garos and the people of Tibet, he stated.
Celebrated annually after the harvest season, the Wangala Festival often called the “100 Drums Festival”, marks gratitude to Misi Saljong, the Sun God, for a bountiful harvest.
The festival showcases the vibrant dance, music, and traditional attire of the Garo community, reflecting their deep connection to nature and agricultural life.
The Chief Minister also announced the sanctioning of Rs 20 crore for the approach road to Wangala A’dam, the venue of the festival that would facilitate more crowds and tourists to the festival during its Golden Jubilee celebrations next year.
He assured the government will support making the event bigger and grander and suggested the constitution of a state level committee to make the festival a grand event.
“Late P A Sangma had envisioned the festival to be upscaled to 1,000 drums. It should be our endeavour to make the upcoming golden jubilee celebration more grandeur with the involvement of key government departments in the celebration,” he said.
Sangma expressed his gratitude to the organising committee for upholding the culture and tradition of the Garos for about five decades and called for cooperation and the collaboration in preserving and promoting the Garo tradition and culture.
He said the state government remains committed to preserving and promoting the state’s rich cultural heritage and has undertaken several initiatives to support research on indigenous culture and heritage.
The Chief Minister further informed that training on indigenous and age old tradition and practices will be a way ahead for the youth to learn and understand and to conserve the age old traditions and rich cultural heritage of the state.
Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahammed emphasised the importance of protecting culture and tradition in an increasingly modern world. He urged the youth to remain rooted in their identity and called upon the youth to conserve, preserve and protect culture as well as nature.
