Tura: The curtain came down on Wangala, the 100-drum festival of the Garos in Meghalaya, on Saturday with a grand assembly of drummers amid merriment and collage of vibrant colours.

"Through Wangala festival we can showcase the rich and vibrant culture of the Garos and connect with rest of the world," said sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma. He represented the government as chief minister Mukul Sangma could not attend the event.

Zenith lauded the organising committee for holding the biggest cultural festival of Garo hills for the last 40 years. "The 100-drum Wangala festival is unique in many ways. It depicts the Garo way of life and their agrarian culture," the minister said, adding that the government would continue to extend support for organising the festival and ensure that it is taken to new heights every year.

"The state government has been promoting cultural events of different tribes of Meghalaya as such events benefit the local community and promote tourism. It would be wise to innovate and package the festival in such a way that it attracts tourists so that maximum benefit can be availed of by the local communities," he said.

Zenith handed over a cheque for Rs 20 lakh to the organisers.

Wangala is a post-harvest festival of the Garos and the Songsareks (non-Christian Garos) pay obeisance to the "great giver" deity Misi Saljong for a good harvest. It is observed in all non-Christian villages of Garo hills. However, people of all communities can participate in it.

Students of Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Shillong College took part in this year's festival. Various indigenous sports and cultural events were held.

This year, tourists from several countries, including Germany, the US and the UK, came to witness rituals like rugala which is performed by the nokma (village chief) a day ahead of the Wangala festival.

Special rice-beer along with cooked rice and vegetables are offered to Misi Saljong. The nokma performs chachat so (burning of incense sticks) ceremony at the central pillar of his house to mark the beginning of the festival.

During the function, the outgoing chairman of the Wangala committee, L.K. Marak, was felicitated for his 25 years of dedicated service and contribution towards the welfare of society.

Ten dance troupes, Gondenggre, Watregre, Rengsangre-Selbalgre, Gambarigri, Rom-Tingmangre, Wadagre, Sadolbra, Chidaogre, Dingnabra and Darichikgre, participated in this year's competition. Chidaogre was the winner, followed by Watregre and Dingnabra troupes.