Meghalaya’s 100 Drums Wangala Festival commenced on Wednesday at Wangala A•Dam in Chibragre, West Garo Hills.

 

The first day of the festival brought together the vibrant traditions, music and cultural heritage of the Garo community.

 

The biggest moment of the day was the Rhythm of 1000 Drums Introductory Round. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also joined the drummers and beat the drums along with them, further energising the crowd. 

 

He joined the thousands drums rhythm along with other MLAs and officials. He later inaugurated the Handloom and Handicrafts Exhibition of 300 stalls and tasted traditional food cuisine.

 

The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival is a harvest festival of the Garo tribe, celebrated to honour the Sun God, Misi Saljong, for a bountiful harvest.

 

Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will attend the festival. The Festival will feature the Rhythm of Thousand Drums, folk performances and the grand finale with the Guinness record attempt.

 

It showcases the rich cultural identity of the Garo people, with traditional celebrations marking the beginning of the festivities. 

 

The 100 Drums Wangala Festival brought together 1,000 traditional drums in a single, thunderous performance, which is the centrepiece of its Golden Jubilee celebration.