Tura,Jan 28: An innovative cultural extravaganza titled – ‘Rhythm of the hills’ will kick start on Wednesday at Betasing in South West Garo Hills. The three day event will showcase the indigenous culture of Garo hills vis-à-vis demonstrate dances from Khasi and Jaintia hills.
The gala event will be inaugurated by arts & culture minister Clement Marak; Governor K K Paul and chief minister Mukul Sangma will attend the closing ceremony.
Head of Arts & Culture, M W Nongbri said, “The event is being held to document the different dance forms and traditions of Garo hills. Apart from the famous Wangala, the event will showcase dances like Ruga and Chugan”.
Wangala is the harvest dance festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya.
Of the 12 sub-tribes of the Garos, the event will witness unique dances forms of the Ganchings, Chibok, Atongs, Chisak, etc. “The event is an attempt to portray different dance forms and rich cultural diversity of the Garos at a single platform”, said Nongbri.
Though socially and politically independent, the sub-tribe of the Garos share a common language, culture, beliefs and religious patterns. The festival will unravel an insight to rich culture and diversity of the Garos.
Mangona, known also as Chugana is a post funeral ceremony. This practice is almost on the verge of extinction. Nongbri said, “An attempt is being made to document this ceremony, which is essence of Garo tribe”.
During Chugana ceremony, a small hut with a bamboo structure is erected on the courtyard of the house that is known as ‘Delang’. The calcined bones are kept in an earthen pot, buried near the doorstep after the ceremony.
After the burial of the calcined bones, the guests are served with beef and pork. During the performance of the last rites for the “spirit” of the dead, dancing and singing continue throughout the night with the chanting of funeral dirge known as “Mangtata (Grapme chia) or Kalee”.
The ritual dance is accompanied with concave brass cymbals, and the ringing sounds of reeds (Kimjim), the peals of “horn-trumpets” called “adils”, and the soft sound of a “chigring” (a bamboo stringed musical instrument)
“Dances and rituals of Hajong, Koch and Rabha tribe will also be displayed during the event”, said Nongbri.
Apart from music, dance and food, the event will witness display of fashion show by renowned designer Tahera Parveen from Kolkata and display of local design by Tatyana Momin, winner of Miss Northeast 2012 and a noted designer of Garo hills.(SP News)
