Shillong, November 03: Hundreds of young men and women from across the Khasi hills were seen taking part at the last day which is also the fifth day of the Nongkrem dance festival termed in Khasi as ka Shad Nongkrem held at the premises in front of the Iing Sad (thatched palace) of Syiem of Khyrim at Nongkrem on Saturday.
Adorn in bright colorful and exotic silk dresses, decked in ornaments of gold, silver and wearing a silver crown participates in the dance accompanying them were young men wearing silk dhoti, waistcoat and plumed turban and also decked with ornaments, joins the women in the dance with sword in their right hand and usually a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand and keeping time to the changing beats of drums and playing of the tangmuri or pipes. The overall movement of the dance is slow and rhythmic. But, the women dance in a graceful manner taking tiny steps forward
The Nongkrem Dance that ensues only after the religious part of the festival gets over is being performed to appease Goddess Ka Blei Synshar, to ward off evil from the community and also for a bountiful harvest. This dance is associated with goat sacrifice which therefore this dance derived its name as Ka Pomblang Nongkrem literally means ‘Goat- Killing Ceremony of Nongkrem’. During the five-day festival many religious rites are performed during the five- day festival.(SP News Agency)
