Wangala festival of the Garo’s is usually in the month of October after harvest. This is a thanksgiving festival and it is considered a taboo to take any crops from the Jhum fields without performing the Wangala.
Description of the Wangala Festival:
Since the main occupations of the Garos are Farming and Agriculture, they generally worship the Lord of Farming and Agriculture who would bless them with loads
of blessings. The Wangala Festival is therefore a grand Carnival to celebrate the harvest season. This is because after year long toil the inhabitants find relief in seeing the golden harvest. So, they pay homage to the lord who has blessed them with such a splendid crop and sing and dance to offer worship to the great deity. Wangala Festival is also known in Meghalaya as the 100 Drums Festivals because 100 drums are played in reverence to the Lord.
Description of the Wangala Festival:
Since the main occupations of the Garos are Farming and Agriculture, they generally worship the Lord of Farming and Agriculture who would bless them with loads
of blessings. The Wangala Festival is therefore a grand Carnival to celebrate the harvest season. This is because after year long toil the inhabitants find relief in seeing the golden harvest. So, they pay homage to the lord who has blessed them with such a splendid crop and sing and dance to offer worship to the great deity. Wangala Festival is also known in Meghalaya as the 100 Drums Festivals because 100 drums are played in reverence to the Lord.The deity is none but the Sun God who comes out from the east and throws light upon the path of mankind; he enlightens the darkness and a healthy crop is thus accredited to him. The Garo also offer worship with dedication and care to the Sun-God by offering sacrifices. ‘Sun God’ at Garo is called ‘Saljong’ and is worshipped for two to seven days at a stretch. He is also regarded as the God of Fertility.
Wangala Dance :
The day of the celebration is fixed according to each village after
the gathering of their crops. There are two basic stages to the Wangala namely 1. Chu-rugala and 2. Chachat -soa.
Chu-rugala – is a very solemn ritual performed by the priest (kamal) followed by the burning of incense. Rice, being the staple food, is used in many forms for all the rituals. Only rice beer specially prepared can be used during this festival. Powdered rice paste is used to decorate the Nokma’s (Chief) house first, and then other houses in the village.
Chachat soa – is the second stage. This ceremony starts again in
the Nokma’s house where the sacred drum is kept. Rice is scattered all over the house symbolizing the rain and hail, the sowing season. Then incense is brunt and the smoke symbolizes rain clouds. Throughout the ceremony drums and gongs (rang) are played A meal is served followed by dancing in the Nokmas house which continues in the village throughout the night.
Wangala Dance :
The day of the celebration is fixed according to each village after
the gathering of their crops. There are two basic stages to the Wangala namely 1. Chu-rugala and 2. Chachat -soa.Chu-rugala – is a very solemn ritual performed by the priest (kamal) followed by the burning of incense. Rice, being the staple food, is used in many forms for all the rituals. Only rice beer specially prepared can be used during this festival. Powdered rice paste is used to decorate the Nokma’s (Chief) house first, and then other houses in the village.
Chachat soa – is the second stage. This ceremony starts again in
the Nokma’s house where the sacred drum is kept. Rice is scattered all over the house symbolizing the rain and hail, the sowing season. Then incense is brunt and the smoke symbolizes rain clouds. Throughout the ceremony drums and gongs (rang) are played A meal is served followed by dancing in the Nokmas house which continues in the village throughout the night. Note : Photo taken by Mr. Anutush Mrong (Tutul).
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