Nongkrem dance Festival also known as Ka Pomblang Nongkrem is celebrated in the State of Meghalaya by the Khasi tribe. The Nongkrem dance festival is celebrated during Autumn, which falls in the month of November at Smit, the cultural center of the Khasi Hills. It is a five day long religious festival of the Khasis.
About Nongkrem dance Festival
The Nongkrem dance Festival is one of the ancient festivals celebrated in the Khasi hills of Meghalaya. Meghalaya being one of the “eight sisters” of the mystic land of North-East India, it is an adobe of the rich ancient tribal cultural bestowed with the beauty of nature. It is inhabitat by the Khasis, the Jaintias and the Garos. The Garos dwell in western Meghalaya, the Khasis in central Meghalaya, and the Jaintias in eastern Meghalaya. Shillong is the capital of the state and is also known as the ‘Style capital of North -east’ as well as the “Scotland of the East”. Matriarchal society can be witnessed in the state and Christianity is the religion practiced in the state.
The Nogkrem dance festival is an eminent religious festival celebrated in the state of Meghalaya. This festival is celebrated in the month of November and lasts for about five days during the autumn season amidst chilling winters. It is the most popular festival for the inhabitants of Khasi hills. It can be termed as a grand cavalcade that involves flow of wealth, sacrifice of animals and an environment of religious vehemence. The venue of festival celebration is fixed since years and that is Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, India is about 11km from Shillong. This festival was initially named Ka Pemblang Nongrem, which over the years came to be known as Nongkrem dance Festival.
Celebration of Nongkrem dance Festival
Meghalaya celebrates numerous fairs and festivals and most of these are dedicated to conciliate the all powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich and profuse harvest as well as for the opulence of the people. The most significant part of Nongkrem dance Festival is the ritual of Pemblang ceremony, which is performed by the Syiem of Khyrim along with the high priest. It refers to the sacrifice of an animal. The priest offers an oblation to Lei Shyllong; the god of Shyllong peak by sacrificing a cock. The offerings are made to the ancestors of the ruling tribe. Besides the religious practices there are scores of cultural programs and events organized during this festival. Usually, young and unmarried girls participate in these events but are open to be viewed and witnessed by all and experience the rich Khasi culture and tradition. During the cultural programs girls wear colorful and beautiful traditional outfits, which make the whole aura vibrant. Not only girls but men also participate in the cultural events and dances on the beats, displaying the affluency of their culture. They hold a sword in their right hand and generally a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and playing of the tangmuri or pipes. This is one of the most beautiful and ancient festivals of the state that attracts a swarm of tourists from all over the World to have a glimpse of the rich and ancient tribal culture.
About Nongkrem dance Festival
The Nongkrem dance Festival is one of the ancient festivals celebrated in the Khasi hills of Meghalaya. Meghalaya being one of the “eight sisters” of the mystic land of North-East India, it is an adobe of the rich ancient tribal cultural bestowed with the beauty of nature. It is inhabitat by the Khasis, the Jaintias and the Garos. The Garos dwell in western Meghalaya, the Khasis in central Meghalaya, and the Jaintias in eastern Meghalaya. Shillong is the capital of the state and is also known as the ‘Style capital of North -east’ as well as the “Scotland of the East”. Matriarchal society can be witnessed in the state and Christianity is the religion practiced in the state.
The Nogkrem dance festival is an eminent religious festival celebrated in the state of Meghalaya. This festival is celebrated in the month of November and lasts for about five days during the autumn season amidst chilling winters. It is the most popular festival for the inhabitants of Khasi hills. It can be termed as a grand cavalcade that involves flow of wealth, sacrifice of animals and an environment of religious vehemence. The venue of festival celebration is fixed since years and that is Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, India is about 11km from Shillong. This festival was initially named Ka Pemblang Nongrem, which over the years came to be known as Nongkrem dance Festival.
Celebration of Nongkrem dance Festival
Meghalaya celebrates numerous fairs and festivals and most of these are dedicated to conciliate the all powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich and profuse harvest as well as for the opulence of the people. The most significant part of Nongkrem dance Festival is the ritual of Pemblang ceremony, which is performed by the Syiem of Khyrim along with the high priest. It refers to the sacrifice of an animal. The priest offers an oblation to Lei Shyllong; the god of Shyllong peak by sacrificing a cock. The offerings are made to the ancestors of the ruling tribe. Besides the religious practices there are scores of cultural programs and events organized during this festival. Usually, young and unmarried girls participate in these events but are open to be viewed and witnessed by all and experience the rich Khasi culture and tradition. During the cultural programs girls wear colorful and beautiful traditional outfits, which make the whole aura vibrant. Not only girls but men also participate in the cultural events and dances on the beats, displaying the affluency of their culture. They hold a sword in their right hand and generally a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and playing of the tangmuri or pipes. This is one of the most beautiful and ancient festivals of the state that attracts a swarm of tourists from all over the World to have a glimpse of the rich and ancient tribal culture.