Tura, Nov 11: The Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival at Wangala A’dam, Chibragre, Tura. Also present were Mehtab Chandee A Sangma, MLA, Gambegre, Arbinstone B. Marak, MLA, Selsella, Jimmy D. Sangma, MLA, Tikrikilla, Sanjay A. Sangma, MLA, Mahendraganj, CEM, GHADC, Dormonath Sangma, MDCs of GHADC, religious leaders and officials from the district administration.
In his address, the Chief Minister expressed great happiness to participate in the biggest festival of the A’chiks and to witness the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival.
He specially remembered the People’s Leader Late P.A. Sangma whose vision was to celebrate 1000 Drums and no only 100. “Today it gives me great satisfaction to bring to fruition the vision of Late P A Sangma by celebrating the Golden Jubilee with 1000 Drums,” he said.
He also fondly remembered the pioneers of the 100 Drums who started the festival in 1976 namely, Late Captain A. Sangma, Late Sanford K. Marak, Late Dr. Bernard K. Marak, Late Probin Raksam, Late Hubert K. Sangma, Late Liander K. Mara, Late Herik S. Sangma, Late Felix R. Sangma, Late Garnet Mangsang and many more others.
“We should remember them on this special day and thank them and even though they are not present with us anymore, the Government would like to felicitate them posthumously on this momentous occasion ,” he said and thanked the A.king Nokma of the area for generously donating the land for the festival.
The Chief Minister also stated that Meghalaya is developing and growing but added that it is necessary to preserve our identity, culture and roots even as development and progress takes place.
He observed that many developed countries face conflicts and have no peace because they have forgotten their identity and assured all support of the government to preserve and promote the State’s identity, culture and tradition and informed that the government has funded Rs 20 Crs through the PWD Department for the development of the Wangala A’dam or venue with support of another Rs 6 Crs towards organizing the festival this year.
He further informed that attempting into the Guinness World Records required a huge expenditure but the Government has sanctioned it considering it’s importance and significance. “This is our identity and we should preserve it, support it, help it and feel proud about it,” he said.
The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival is being held at Wangala A’dam, Garo Heritage Village, Chibragre. The festival runs from 11th to 14th November 2026 and marks its 50th edition. Under the theme “Rhythm of 1,000 Drums,” the four-day celebration brings together 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers, along with traditional performers and cultural contingents from Garo Hills and beyond.
The organised Hundred Drums Wangala Festival was first held at Asanang on 6th and 7th December 1976, bringing village troupes from different parts of Garo Hills onto a common cultural platform. The festival was started when traditional village-level Wangala celebrations were declining in several areas. Its purpose was to preserve Garo rituals, music, dance and other cultural practices through regular community participation.
The traditional format consisted of ten contingents, with each contingent comprising about 10 drummers and 30 dancers. Together, they presented approximately 100 drums and 300 dancers, giving the festival its name. The festival was organised as a competitive event, with participating contingents presenting their traditional drumming, coordinated dances, attire and performance skills.
Each contingent represented an A’king or community-owned clan area, allowing different communities to present their local practices while participating in a shared cultural programme. The Hundred Drums presentation was accompanied by group dances and traditional instruments such as the dama, gongs, flutes and other wind and percussion instruments.
The programme gradually expanded to include Ajia, Doroa, Grika, folk-song competitions, oral traditions, indigenous games and sports, traditional food, handloom and handicraft exhibitions. In 2020, the festival was shifted from Asanang to Wangala A’dam at the Garo Heritage Village, Chibragre, near Tura, providing a dedicated venue for its continued expansion. By the 49th edition in 2025, the festival had become a major cultural and tourism event, drawing visitors from India and abroad and involving younger performers.
The 50th Edition and Golden Jubilee of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival will be held from 11th to 14th November 2026. The main presentation will bring together 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers, along with cultural contingents and traditional performers from Garo Hills and other Garo-inhabited areas.
The four-day programme will include the Thousand Drums presentation, Rugala, Cha’chat So’a, indigenous games and sports, folk-song competitions, oral traditions, traditional food and other cultural performances. Special invited troupes from Garo communities in Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Karbi Anglong and other neighbouring areas will participate.
Groups representing the Ruga, Chibok, Megam and Atong communities have also been invited. More than 300 exhibition stalls are proposed for indigenous food, traditional attire, ornaments, handicrafts, local products and souvenirs, creating market opportunities for artisans, producers and local entrepreneurs.
Important high profile dignitaries are expected to visit the festival in the next three days with the footfall of domestic and international tourists increasing as well.
