Gaiety prevailed as residents of 40 villages in Assam and Meghalaya converged at Nishangram near Damra in Goalpara district and Bangsi A’pal in North Garo Hills to perform the annual Song Kristan dance on Monday. Nishangram and Bangsi

A’pal are adjoining villages along the Assam-Meghalaya border.

The border villages of Assam and Meghalaya came alive with the sound of drums, cymbals and flutes as over 10,000 people marched through the streets, dancing and singing in praise of Jesus Christ. The villagers showcased the age-old practice of Song Kristan, which literally means Christian dance.

‘It is basically a dance form which is being celebrated since time immemorial by our forefathers, when they accepted Christ as their saviour,’ said Sengman Momin, a music teacher from Tura. ‘The mass Song Kristan dance is being celebrated in different parts of North Garo Hills for about two decade now. The main aim is to give impetus to our culture and the Garo way of celebration. The season of Christmas provides the perfect time for us to host the event as most people are back home and can take part,’ Momin added.

Text by Saidul Khan and picture by UB Photos