The first Monolith Festival, where the united colours of the rich Khasi heritage were on display at the Khasi Heritage Village in Mawphlang, nearly 20km away from Shillong, captured the imagination of many.

An initiative of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), the two-day festival was organised by the Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum.

Thousands of people attended the festival despite the cold and inclement weather, especially on the final day of the celebration.

At the festival, the oft-forgotten traditional dances and music, food, traditional games such as archery, and ethnic attire, et al were in full display.

The Khasi Heritage Village, constructed by the KHADC, was dotted with huts and thatched houses while an amphitheatre was the platform for artistes from different Khasi “states” (Himas) to highlight their performances.

Dances like the Shad tong dohkha from Shella, Shad dung kohner from Raid Lasa, Shad wait dumahi from Raid Narlein of Hima Mylliem, Shad thma of Hima Mawphlang and others were performed before an eclectic audience. Chanting of couplets, beating of traditional drums, storytelling accompanied by the playing of the harp (mieng) by women from Ri Bhoi and other performances were the highlights of the festival.

The KHADC had also set up a museum displaying traditional attire, musical instruments and farm equipment.

Thatched houses, which showcased the way of life of the inhabitants of the Khasi States of Mylliem, Jirang, Nongkhlaw, Nongstoin, Maharam, Mawsynram, Sohbar Sirdarship, Shella Wahadaharship, Mawphlang Lyngdohship and Nonglang Sirdarship, were also put up for people to see and learn for themselves.

Archery, which is still famous among the Khasi men in the villages, was also part of the itinerary. From elderly men to young boys armed with self-made bows and arrows, the traditional game of archery attracted several spectators.

Woodren Khongsngi, from Nongkynrih village under Hima Khyrim, bears testimony to the enduring traditional game. “I have been making arrows since I was a 20-year-old,” Khongsngi, who is now in his seventies.

Apart from witnessing the cultural dances and others, people were also seen thronging food stalls to get a taste of traditional food items, fruit wine and traditional snacks.

The council plans to make the festival an annual affair.