 Festivals of East Khasi Hills District include those of Nongkrem Dance etc. Nongkrem Dance is a sacred festival that in the truest sense has its roots in the thanksgiving ritual to God Almighty for good harvest, peace and prosperity of the community. It is held annually during October/ November, at Smit, the capital of the Khyrim Syiemship near Shillong. As autumn drops by the hills, this magnanimous occasion witnesses its advent, its verve. The mountain comes to life, so do the tribe as the mood of tribal festivity pours in. On the fourth day of the Khasi dance, all the young girls together perform this dance in a ring in front of the priestess's house. The dance depicts the warlike movements of the young folks who dance in a circle forming a ring in which the girls sway their heads slowly. This dance is considered as one the greatest dance festivals of the Khasis.
The dance is performed in the open by young virgins and men, both bachelors and married. The women dressed in expensive silk costumes with heavy gold, silver and coral ornaments dance in the inner circle of the arena. The men form an outer circle and dance to the accompaniment of music of flutes and drums. An important feature of the festival is the 'Pomblang' or goat sacrifice offered by the subjects to the Syiem of Khyrim, the administrative head of the Hima (Khasi State). Ka Syiem Sad, the eldest sister of the king is the chief priest and caretaker of all ceremonies. The festival is conducted along with the Myntries (Ministers), priests and high priest where offerings are made to ancestors of the ruling clan and the deity of Shillong Shad Suk Mynsiem. Nongkrem Dance Festival is usually arranged in a particular place called Smit which is the cultural centre of the Khasi hills in Meghalaya. This is located at a distance of 11 kms from Shillong. The festival was originally named after Ka Pemblang Nongrem which later on came to be known as Nongkrem dance Festival. This ceremony is usually performed by the Syiem of Khyrim along with the eldest priest of the community. It includes sacrifice of animals like a cock which is offered as an obligation to Lei Shillong; the God of Shillong peak. The offer is made to the ancestors of the ruling clan. Besides the religious practice, the festival is equally entertaining owing to the cultural programmes which are organised during the festival. Often the young and unmarried boys and girls participate in it. The dances performed by the young people ooze with energy and grace. They usually dance with a sword which they carry in their right hand and a bunch of white hair of the Yak in their left hand while keeping pace with the changing tunes of the drums and pipes. One of the most important festivals of the Khasis is Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem or Dance of the joyful heart. It is an annual thanksgiving dance held in Shillong in April. Men and women, dressed in traditional fineries dance to the accompaniment of drums and the flute. The festival lasts for three days. With the advent of Christianity and the embracement of the Christian faith by the Khasis, various Christian festivals like Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter etc are celebrated during the year. (Last Updated on : 31-03-2014) |
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