Shillong, September 11: The first one day sample survey to register the citizens, participants, visitors from far and near as authorised by Syiem and Dorbar, was conducted from10Am to 7pm on 8th December 2016 at Smit, during the famous and most revere festival of the Khasis and U Khun ki Hajar (Original inhabitants) known as Shad Pomblang or Nongkrem Dance, of Hima Khyrim.
Briefly, on this historical day the Sngi Iew Lyngka, the religious ceremony which began at 8am with Ka Shad Noh Kjat led by Ka Syiem and then followed byU Khun U Hajar of the Hima and others from other Kingdoms(Hima), who joined in the traditional dance in the sacred grounds and premises of Ka Iing Sad till around 4pm prior to sunset. This was followed by Ka Leh Niam Pom Blang (Religious Ceremony). The religious ceremony performed and known as Khatar Sla.
The first sample survey to register the participants and visitors with the help and cooperation of the Principal, the students of class X, XI, XII, of Smit Higher Secondary School, Seng Samla Smit, Sordar of Smit, Rangbah Shnong, Nongmadan, Smit, Dorbar of Smit Pyllun, the Bakhraw (Elders) of the Syiem and Dorbar, including the staff and officials of the office of The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Federation of Khasi States and the SPIKAP. We express our sincere appreciation to the Students for their voluntary efforts.
This year had many dignitaries who graced the Pomblang festival. This includes the Governor, the Chief Minister, a number of State Ministers, Member Legislative Assembly and Members, District Councils, including representatives of various organisations from across the world.
It is estimated that there were over fifty thousand visitors approximately to this year’s Pomblang spread over the two days. As a first attempt to document the participation of people for historical record as to the number of footfalls to Nongkrem Dance Hima, Dr Balajied Sing Syiem, Syiem of Hima Khyrim along with the undersigned initiated the process of seeking registration from U Khun U Hajar and other visitors.
With the advice and assistance of the Syiem and Dorbar, Sordar Smit, Rangbah Shnong, Nongmadan-Smit, office bearers of the Seng Samla Pylllun Smit, Smit Higher Secondary School and with the staff of The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Federation of Khasi States, the SPIKAP, the registration tables located at five entry points were handled by students of Smit Higher Secondary school. It was apparent that this small deployment was just not enough to handle and register the crowds and the large flow of people converging at Smit.
A large number of visitors converged after sunset to watch the Pomblang Ceremony, thus registering efforts in the dim lights under the street lights were challenging.
From this very limited exercise Students collected relevant information, such as people’s name, village name, Raid, Hima, District, State, Country, Tribe and non-tribe status. From this information collected on the day of Pomblang, there were a total of Three Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Nine (3939) visitors from the tribal communities, out of which One Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy (1470) were School going students. There were also around One Hundred (100) Non Tribes who attended to witness the Pom Blang Ceremony.
From each of the above records of registration, it shows that those from the tribal communities who attended were inhabitants from Two Hundred and Fifty (250) Khasi villages hailing from Six (6) Districts of Meghalaya(East Khasi Hills Dist, West Khasi Hills Dist, Ri-Bhoi Dist, Jaintia Hills Dist, South West Khasi Hills, and Garo Hills District). There were thirty Six (36) individuals from different States who visited the festival as recorded on the said date.
International tourist also frequented the festival this year coming from countries like Germany, United States of America and the United Kingdom. From withinIndia, people from the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telengana, Bihar, Karnataka, Sikkim and Kashmir also graced the occasion.
There were a total of One Hundred and Sixty Three (163) vehicles parked inside one of the designated area; the football play ground near the Iing Sad.From the very limited sampling it can be seen that people from all over the state converge to this important historical place raising the question as to the genuine need to declare this National Festival as a State Holiday.
It may be noted that further detailed mapping regarding visitors from outside the state using technology such as drones will help the Dorbar and particularly the State authorities to further value add tourism in the State which will boost local livelihood besides having a positive impact on economic activities.
A request to the State Government and Union Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to facilitate visa on arrival facilitation to visitors from abroad for the Nongkrem Dance, also being a National Festival will further attract foreign visitors.
The Pomblang ceremony is an important day in the lives of U Khun U Hajar of Hima Khyrim, and for Khasis from other Himas. This religious festival has come to occupy an important place in people’s lives, becoming one of the only festivals that bind the Hynniewtrep people as one community in tradition, religion and state.
In conclusion we thank the Syiem and Dorbar and all those who have participated for having given us this opportunity to assist in this very limited sample survey and request the Syiem and Dorbar to explore further ways and means to register all the visitors including U Khun U Hajar as done in other important Institutions world wide, so as to have a more accurate figure as to the number of footfalls to the Shad Pomblang.
