Shad Sajer the revered traditional dance was held with great joy and fervour by the Raid Nonglyngdoh in Ri Bhoi district today.
The vibrant display of the dance was to showcase the rich identity and cultural heritage passed down by ancestors held at the Sacred Grove of the raid.
A council of traditional heads from six clans attended the dance festival held annually before the sowing season. It symbolises a collective prayer for a fruitful harvest and seeking blessings from the divine for the well-being and prosperity of Raid Nonglyngdoh’s residents.
The festivities featured a myriad of traditional dances, including ‘Shad Dong Dong’, ‘Shad Kynjuh Kynthei’, ‘Shad Shut Wait’, ‘Shad Mastieh’, ‘Put Mieng’, ‘Put Talawar’, and others, performed enthusiastically by local troupes representing the six clans.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Raja Brahma and President of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Bhoi, BB Makdoh attended the event as guests.
Brahma commended the initiatives of Raid Nonglyngdoh for organising the Shad Sajer that hightlighted the rich cultural heritage of the Raid Nonglyngdoh. He emphasised the significance of preserving cultural identities and said, “No matter which community you come from, it’s essential to remember that every community or tribe possesses its unique identity and culture. Those lacking such distinctiveness are at risk of being lost communities or tribes.”
Brahma further stressed the unity underlying apparent differences among communities and tribes, asserting, “Despite perceived differences, we are fundamentally the same. What set us apart is our diverse identities and cultures.”
