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Samuguri cultural troupe presenting the Wangala dance. [/caption]
Dimapur, November 21: Garo community in Nagaland today celebrated the post harvest festival “Wangala” with traditional fervour at Ekaranipathar village with MLA from 17 Bokajan LAC Dr. Numal Momin as the chief guest.
The festival, celebrated on the theme ‘Our culture is the soul of out tribe,’ witnessed cultural presentations from the Garo, Kuki, Karbi and Kachari communities.
The Garos celebrate different festivals which are predominantly based on harvest and agriculture bounties. The greatest among the Garo festivals, however, is the post harvest festival ‘Wangala,’ which is also known as the hundred drums festival in honour of the Sun god or Misi Saljong who provides mankind with nature’s bounties and ensure their prosperity. Misi-Saljong is also revered in the Garo society as the god of fertility.
Wangala is celebrated to pay homage to the god who blessed them with bountiful harvest. During Wangala people young and old attired in colourful costume dance to the tune of music played on long oval shaped drums (Dama) and flute.
Besides cultural dances, the celebration also witnessed the Garo indigenous games performed by young boys.