Tura, Nov. 28: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma today said songs and dances of the Khasis, Jaintias, Garos and other indigenous people depict their way of life and the rich and vibrant culture of the state.
He said Meghalaya as a state should showcase its cultural diversity and create an exclusive product befitting the tradition through festivals to attract visitors and tourists.
"We need to organise festivals to engage our young boys and girls during the long holidays after their exams. This will not only help our youths connect to their roots but also display their talents," he said.
Sangma was attending Ahoma Festival at Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills.
The chief minister urged parents, elders and teachers to teach the children traditional and moral values at homes, schools to keep them away from all social evils.
Ahoma, the annual 120 drums Wangala festival has been held at Tikrikilla, about 126km from Tura, for the past three years. Wangala is a post-harvest dance festival of the Garos. Ahoma is a song of merriment sung by young men and women during Wangala festivities.
The festival was organised by the Hundred Drums Wangala Society of Tikrikilla. Members of the Society, who call themselves peace-loving indigenous communities, arrange the programme with the support of the state government's art and culture department to preserve and promote traditional and cultural practices for posterity.
Other dignitaries who graced the festival include parliamentary secretaries Limison D. Sangma and Michael T. Sangma, director, Meghalaya art and culture, M. War-Nongbri, several members of district councils and officials of the district administration.
The 12 cultural troupes that made up the 120 Drums Wangala Festival were the Tikrililla College troupe, Pedaldoba troupe, Gonda-Chibolgre troupe, Bolchu Katongre troupe, Balsatgre troupe, Raksamgre Youth Club, Sampalgre troupe of Dadenggre, Raksamgre Songgitcham troupe, Bondula Mali troupe, Tongapa troupe, Williamnagar troupe and Chidcare Cultural Society of Tura.
