Home > Arts & Culture > Indian Dances > Wangala Dance
Wangala Dance
Wangala dance is one of the major harvest festivals of Meghalaya. Dedicated to Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility, this marks the onset of winter and marks the end of toil which brings the output of the field.

Share this Article:

Wangala Dance, MeghalayaWangala dance is practiced in the Meghalaya state of India. This dance is basically a part of the Wangala Festival which is celebrated in the honour of the Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility. Also known as `100 Drum Festival`, it is celebrated as the annual harvest festival. This is one of the most significant festivals of Meghalaya which marks the beginning of winter season and end of the toiling period which brings the output of the field at the end of the year. This festival includes a number of sacrifices offered by the tribal people to please their main deity Saljong - the Sun God.

Performance of Wangala Dance
The festival lasts from two days to a week. On the first day, the festival focuses on the ceremony of "Ragula" while on the second day Kakkat is performed. People from all age group participate in this festival. Along with their feathered headgears they dance on the tunes of the oval shaped drums. The sounds of the drums create a mesmerising effect. People are comfortable and relaxed to participate forgetting all worries. In this dance festival, queen of two parallel lines - one of men while the other is of women are presented who dance with complete perfection. The group moves in a line to the rhythm of the drums which are played in a particular tune.

Wangala dance festival is also known for the type of music played. The music attracts the visitors toward the rhythmic tunes that are echoed in the mountainous region of Meghalaya. In addition to drums, the other musical instruments played to accompany this dance comprise of gong and flutes made up of buffalo horns. Wangala dance festival is usually held in the caves of Garo hills. These are also known as Dobakhol or Cave of the Bats that has large deposits of stalagmites which are formed in centuries.

Thus, with its colourful carnival, it is one of the most popular festivals of Meghalaya. It is not only celebrated to pay homage to the god of harvest and agriculture for a splendid crop of the season and golden harvest but also celebrated to welcome the new season with full energy and freshness.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Dances

Folk Dances of Haryana
The Folk Dances of Haryana are influenced by the culture of its neighbouring states and express the deeper spiritual nature of the dance form.
Kathakali Dancers
Kathakali dancers of India embody grace, passion, and storytelling prowess. Through their vibrant costumes, expressive movements, and intricate makeup, they bring ancient tales to life on stage.
Folk Dances of Sikkim
The cultural tradition of Sikkim is conveyed in its conventional folk dances. The Folk dances are an essential part of Sikkim’s culture and tradition that are really vibrant at times. The three ethnic communities, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalis constitute the folk dances and songs in this state.
Santhali Dance
Santhali dance is performed by Santhal tribes on special occasions like festivals and merrymakings.
Folk Dances of Maharashtra
Folk dances of Maharashtra reflect the state's rich cultural heritage and traditions. Prominent forms include Lavani, Tamasha, Lezim, and Gondhal, each associated with specific communities and occasions. These dances combine music, rhythm, and storytelling, often performed during festivals, rituals, and social gatherings, preserving regional identity across generations.
Folk Dances of Mizoram
Folk dances of Mizoram are performed during the time of festivals. These dances are done in a group form.
Dhamal Dance
A folk dance form of Haryana, the Dhamal Dance has its roots in the days of the Mahabharata. This dance form is primarily performed by men in the outdoors and is famous in the Gurugram area of the state.
Koli Dance
A unisex folk dance form of Maharashtra, the Koli dance is a known dance form of the Koli fisher folk.
Costumes of Manipuri Dance
Costumes of Manipuri Dance are quite unique from other Indian classical dance forms.
Hasta Mudras In Kathakali
Hasta Mudras are an integral part of Kathakali dance performance. The Hasta Mudras of this particular dance form are very symbolic in nature.
North Indian Dances
North Indian Dances portray various aspects of Hindu and Muslim culture that have influenced the region for a long time.
Folk Dance of Uttar Pradesh
Folk dance of Uttar Pradesh shows zest of life. It includes dances like Raslila, Ramlila, Khyal, Nautanki,Naqaal,Swang, Dadra and Charkula dance.
Mangalacharan Odissi Dance
Mangalachran is that part of Odissi with which the dance begins and it contributes to the invocatory part of Odissi.
Lathi Dance
Lathi dance is a dance form of West Bengal performed on the occasion of Muharram.
Giddha Dance
Giddha Dance of Punjab, performed only by the women, is a very popular folk art form in India. During Lohri, the Punjabi women reveal their joy through the performance of Giddha.
Folk Dances of Manipur
Manipuri folk dances include the Pung Cholom, Raslila, Maibi dance, Khamba Thaibi, Lal Haraoba and the Nupa dance.
Folk Dance of Nagaland
Folk Dance of Nagaland reflects the naga tradition and culture of the local habitants. In most of the cases, naga dances are monopoly of men with some exception but almost ever dance is associated with some kind of naga festival or tradition.
Bidesia Dance
Bidesia dance is the most popular folk dance of Bihar. The themes of the dance are social issues, contradictory topics and conflict between the traditional and the modern, the urban and rural, and the rich and the poor.
Types of Indian Dances
Types of Indian Dances reflect its cultural richness. Whilst the Classical dances form the very base of Indian dances, it is near impossible to overlook the tribal and folk elements that stand out as separate types of Indian dances.
Rabha Dance
Rabha Dance is performed by the Rabha Tribes of Meghalaya in the Garo Hills.