Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma inaugurates 49th Wangala Festival in Chibragre

The 49th edition of the Wangala Festival, Meghalaya’s most vibrant and revered cultural celebration of the Garo community, commenced today, November 6 with grandeur and colour at Chibragre Wangala A’dam near Tura. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, marking the official inauguration of this year’s festivities.

Known as the “100 Drums Festival,” Wangala is a traditional harvest festival celebrated in honour of Saljong, the Sun God of fertility and prosperity. The festival symbolises gratitude for a bountiful harvest and the end of the agricultural toil, while also heralding the onset of winter across the Garo Hills.

The Wangala celebration is a blend of devotion, music, and dance, showcasing the cultural richness of the Garo people. The event usually spans two days sometimes extending up to a week—beginning with the “Ragula” ritual performed within the residence of the village chief, followed by the “Kakkat” ceremony on the second day.

Men and women, adorned in traditional attire and vibrant feathered headgear, take part in the iconic Wangala dance, moving rhythmically in two parallel lines to the deep, resonant beats of long oval-shaped drums, gongs, and buffalo-horn flutes. The powerful rhythm of the 100 drums reverberates through the hills, creating an atmosphere of unity and joy.

The festival is not just a celebration of harvest but also a testament to the cultural pride and heritage of the Garo people. It serves as a vital platform for preserving and promoting their age-old traditions, music, and rituals—making Wangala one of the most significant tribal festivals in Northeast India.

As the beats of drums fill the air and traditional melodies echo across the valleys, the Wangala Festival continues to stand as a vibrant symbol of Meghalaya’s living heritage and cultural diversity.