"Wangala” celebrated in Mymensingh

Hundreds of jubilant people belonging to the Garo community celebrated their traditional “Wangala” (harvest) festival at the premises of Sadhu Patrick Cathedral in Mymensingh town Sunday.

The daylong programme took on a festive appearance, as Garos of all age groups in their traditional attire performed at the cultural programmes. Choruses and dances were also performed with playing of traditional musical instruments like kakawa, nangglist, rangkilding,rangbong.

A thanksgiving ceremony was also held in the morning. Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi of Mymensingh Catholic Diocese, Suvash Jangcham, Caritas regional director Apurba Mrong, Dr Anjan Kumar Chicham and Father Robert Mankhin, convener of Nakma Cultural Programme Parishad were present among others at the ceremony.

Aranya E Chiran, Tribal Welfare Secretary said the festival is enriched with ancient traditions and culture that give the Garos a distinct identity.

The celebrations have spiritual and social importance but with the passage of time the original Garo culture is fading away, said Arannya Chiran.