Wangala: Honouring the sun god
The Garo community celebrated Wangala, their largest annual festival, in Kamalganj, Moulvibazar, recently. The pre-winter celebration honours the sun God for blessing the community with a good harvest.
Thousands of Garo people attended the day-long programme on the playground of Mirtinga Tea garden to begin the festivity by offering their traditional prayers. Traditional formalities were maintained while dedicating crops to the God.
Partho Areng, President of Sreechuk Youth Garo Organisation, was present at the programme. People of all ages dressed in their colourful garments (Dakmanda, Daksari, or Gando) and dance to music played on dama (long, oval-shaped drums).
Katta Doka (talking in a singing style), Ajea, Dani Doka (describing Wangala by singing) were performed during the day.
Garo people do not use any agricultural products before thanking God of fertility, Misi-Saaljong, which is why Wangala is an important occasion.
Khitish Areng, the head organiser (nokma), informed that Wangala is centered on thanksgiving, and it is a time for the Garo community to be thankful to God for creating them and nurturing them. Wangala ushers in a festive mood. People meet and get to know each other, and it works as a catalyst for national unity among the people, he added.
The cultural programme was also arranged by Sreechuk Youth Garo Organisation as a part of the festival. Father Nikolash Baroi CSC, Father Gourab J Pathang, Father Diganta Chambugong attended as honourable guests.
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