Wangala Festival

wangala festival

Wangala Festival, The Vibrant Harvest Celebration of the Garo Tribe

Every November, the rolling hills of Meghalaya come alive with rhythmic drumbeats, traditional chants, and colorful attire as the Garo tribe celebrates Wangala, the grand Harvest Festival. Known as the Hundred Drums Festival Wangala is more than just a cultural event it is a thanksgiving ceremony dedicated to Misi Saljong, the Sun God, who blesses the people with a bountiful harvest.

The Spirit of Thanksgiving

Wangala marks the end of the agricultural season and the beginning of relaxation after months of hard work in the fields. It’s a time when the Garos express their gratitude to Misi Saljong for the year’s good harvest and seek his blessings for the coming one. The festival beautifully reflects the tribe’s deep connection with nature and their respect for the land that sustains them.

A Festival of Rhythm and Dance

The highlight of the Wangala Festival is the Hundred Drums Dance Men, dressed in traditional dakmanda (a colorful woven wrap), dhoti, and headgear with feathers, beat long drums called Dama while women perform graceful dances their movements echoing the rhythm of the earth.

The “Nagruwa” (drum leaders) coordinate the beats, symbolizing harmony and unity within the community. The sound of the drums reverberating across the hills creates an atmosphere of joy, energy, and collective spirit

Traditional Attire and Ornaments

The Wangala Festival is a feast for the eyes — men and women wear their most beautiful traditional clothes and adorn themselves with beaded necklaces, silver ornaments, and feathered crowns. Each piece of attire represents the tribe’s artistic skills and cultural identity passed down through generations.

Food, Music, and Merriment

Like any good festival, Wangala is incomplete without food and festivity! People prepare local rice beer called chu, enjoy pitha (rice cakes), and share meals made from freshly harvested grains. Songs, flute music, and laughter fill the air as the entire community joins in celebration