Child stars Jetshen and Binita to perform at 100 Drums Wangala Festival, preparations underway

Child artists Jetshen Dohna of SaReGaMa fame and Binita Chetry of Britain's Got Talent fame will be performing during the Golden Edition of 100 Drums Wangala Festival 2025 on November 8 at West Garo Hill, Meghalaya.

As Meghalaya gears up for one of its grandest cultural celebrations, the 100 Drums Wangala Festival is set to mark its Golden Jubilee edition from November 6 to 8, 2025, at Wangala A’dam, Chibragre, in West Garo Hills. This year’s milestone event will celebrate five decades of tradition, rhythm, and gratitude, reaffirming its place as the State Festival of Meghalaya.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will inaugurate the three-day festival as the Chief Guest, alongside several Union Ministers and distinguished guests. The Wangala Festival, rooted deeply in Garo heritage, is a post-harvest thanksgiving ceremony dedicated to Misi Saljong, the revered “Great Giver,” honoring the community’s gratitude for a prosperous harvest.

The event is a vibrant expression of Garo identity, featuring more than 300 drummers and 3,000 dancers across ten contingents from various parts of the Garo Hills. The festival’s 50th year will feature an expanded program including indigenous sports, folk song competitions, oral traditions, and traditional cuisine exhibitions. The celebrations will culminate with the grand Rugala and Chachat So’a rituals.

In a statement, Rikman Sangma, Chairman of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival Committee, expressed pride in the festival’s growing national and international appeal but noted that increased financial support and media publicity are essential to sustain its reach. “Wangala is not only a cultural event but a reflection of the unity, resilience, and living spirit of the Garo people,” he remarked, highlighting the festival’s role in uniting Garo communities across Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland.

Adding to the festivities, Chonseng Sangma, Executive Member of the Nokma Council, Garo Hills, announced exciting performances for this year, including child artists Jetshen and Binita Chetry, as well as an ensemble from Bangladesh. “This year’s celebration will be on a much larger scale with singers and dancers from across the region,” he added.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Wangala Festival is expected to scale even higher, with a landmark performance featuring 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers, symbolizing the enduring cultural rhythm of the Garo people.

As the rhythmic beats of the dama echo across the hills, the 100 Drums Wangala Festival continues to stand as one of Northeast India’s most vital cultural expressions—a living testament to the harmony between people, tradition, and the land they celebrate.