Festivals of Meghalaya

Ka Pomblang Nongkrem

The leading festival in the calendar year for the Khasi fraternity takes place on an auspicious full moon night in the month of November in the sleepy hamlet of Smit. The five-day event propitiates the god U Blei Shyllong and other deities for their blessings and endowment of a plentiful harvest. The highlight of the festivities is the famous Nongkrem dance, enacted during the Ka Pomblang or the goat-sacrifice ceremony.

Shad Sukmynesim

This three-day Khasi festival, also known as the dance of the Peaceful Hearts, is held in the month of April as a form of thanksgiving to the deities for the rebirth of the land after the winter. It also heralds the sowing season. People turn out in traditional costumes and enjoy the feasting and merry-making at these big gatherings which further cement bonds within the fraternity. The women perform the Ka Shad Kynthe in the inner circle and in the outer circle, the men perform the Shad Mystieh, an ancient war dance.

Shad Sukra

This spring festival is held in the month of April by the Pnar people of the Jaintia Hills who gather together dressed in colourful traditional costumes. The festivities, heralding the new sowing season, are awash with ancient rituals of worship, prayer, folk songs, and dances accompanied by traditional instruments and a harmonious display of community bonding. Tributes are paid to Mother Earth, Ka Bei Rymaw, for her protection of life and many bounties.

Wangala Dance Festival  

The Garo community has been holding the 100 Drums Festival in honour of Saljong, the Sun god. This harvest festival, which also signifies the onset of winter, is one of the most vibrant cultural features of Meghalaya.

Behdeinkhlam

An important annual feature in its agricultural cycle, this festival of Meghalaya’s Jaintia community takes place after the sowing period. Held in the month of July during the seasonal monsoon, it invokes the gods for a bountiful harvest. Traditionally wooden staves are used to drive away the evil spirits and prayers and rituals are held to avert any pestilence from touching the village. The Chipiah dance is one of the highlights which also includes ‘datlawakor’, a soccer-like game, a dance to traditional drumbeats and flutes by the men folk, and a tug-of-war competition.