WANGALA DANCE

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Context: Members of the Garo tribal community recently performed Wangala dance on the occasion of ‘The Rising Sun Water Fest-2022’ on the banks of Umiam Lake in Meghalaya.

Details:

• Wangala Festival of Meghalaya is a most popular festival among the Garos of Meghalaya, India.
• Wangala Festival is a harvest festival held in honour of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility.
• The celebration of the Wangala Festival marks the end of a period of toil, which brings good output of the fields. It also signifies the onset of winter.
• The ceremony performed on first day is known as "Ragula" is performed inside the house of the chief. On the second day is known as "Kakkat".
• The popular dance forms are performed during the festival, itself has certain subtle variations, the main motif being a queue of two parallel lines - one of men and other of women clad in their festive fineries. Young and old join the festivities with equal enthusiasm.
• While the men beat the drums, the line moves forward in rhythmic accord.
• The 'orchestra' of men includes drums, gong and flutes, punctuated by the sonorous music of an primitive flute made of buffalo horn.
• Basically, the Wangala Festival is a way to preserve and promote the cultural identity of Garos in Meghalaya.

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