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Special guest Viccashe Sumi addressing the gathering on the occasion Wangala festival celebration in Samaguri playground onNovember 21.[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 23 (EMN): Garos in Nagaland celebrated their post harvest festival ‘Wangala’ on the theme ‘Our culture is the soul of our tribe’ on November 21 at Samaguri village playground.
The festival was organised by Wangala celebration committee (WCC) in association with Nagaland Garo Tribal Council (NGTC), Garo Students’ Union Nagaland Zone (GSUNZ), Garo Mothers’ Association (GMA) and All Nagaland Garo National Association (ANGNA).
Viccashe Sumi, IGP (Retired), was the special guest and K Lun Tungnung, advocate and social activist, was the special invitee of the celebration. Other invited guests included president of All India Karbi Students’ Association (AIKSA), president of Garo Students’ Association, Diphu, and leaders from Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland (IMTN).
Speaking at the programme, K Lun Tungnung lamented and expressed unhappiness for not including the Garo’s Wangala festival in the Mini-Hornbill scheme despite the fact that Garos are one of the recognised tribes of Nagaland and termed as ‘total negligence and betrayal.’ He also urged and challenged the gathering to educate their children with utmost priority if they want to achieve something in life.
Viccashe Sumi, in his address said, Garos have settled in Nagaland since times immemorial and very much part and parcel of the state. He advised the gathering to stay in unity wherever they are. Stating that Garos have a rich culture and tradition, he advised the congregation to preserve them well for the future generations.
The programme commenced with an invocation said by Rev. Pele Marak from Believers Church, Jorhat Dioces, while the welcome song was presented by Samaguri village and the welcome address was delivered by the WCC convenor Prodip D Sangma. A brief account of the Wangala festival was presented by Samuel Marak, while the vote of thanks was delivered by GSUNZ president Cliff D Sangma and the benediction was said by Eltish D Sangma, pastor of Garo Baptist Church, Chumoukedima.
Other highlights of the programmes included Wangala dance by Dubagaon and Samaguri village, folk song by Garo Students’ Association, Diphu, folk fusion by Eralibil village and indigenous games display by Ekaranipathar village.
