Experience the vibrant cultural extravaganza of Meghalaya at the Wangala Festival 2025, popularly known as the “100 Drums Festival.” This grand celebration is the most important post-harvest festival of the Garo tribe, symbolizing gratitude to Saljong, the Sun God (also called Misi Saljong), for a bountiful harvest.
Marking the end of the agricultural year and the arrival of winter, Wangala blends faith, rhythm, and festivity. The hills come alive with the sound of drums, the color of traditional garments, and the movement of synchronized dance. In 2025, the Wangala Festival will be celebrated from 5th to 7th November (Wednesday to Friday), with the main day falling on Friday, 7th November 2025, across Meghalaya, particularly in the Garo Hills region.
Wangala Festival 2025 Holiday
The Wangala Festival spans several days, but the main celebration day is on Friday, 7 November 2025.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival Dates (2025) | 5th to 7th November 2025 (Wednesday to Friday). The main day of celebration is Friday, 7 November 2025. |
| States That Celebrate | Meghalaya (mainly in Garo Hills), also observed by Garo communities in Assam, Nagaland, and Greater Mymensingh (Bangladesh). |
| Holiday Status | The festival is recognized as a regional public holiday in Meghalaya. Banks and government offices remain closed in the Garo Hills region during the main day. |
Key Highlights of Wangala Festival 2025
If you plan to attend this spectacular event, expect a cultural celebration filled with dance, food, rituals, and community warmth. Entry to the festival is free, welcoming both locals and travelers alike.
| Category | Highlights and Experiences |
|---|---|
| Performances & Music | Witness the iconic Hundred Drums Wangala Festival at Asanang near Tura, where hundreds of Garo drummers and dancers perform in unison to honor Saljong, the Sun God. |
| Traditional Rituals | Watch sacred rituals such as Rugala (pouring of rice beer) and Cha·chat So·a (incense burning), performed by the village priest (Kamal) inside the Nokma’s (chieftain’s) home. |
| Cuisine | Enjoy traditional Garo dishes such as Jadoh (rice and meat), Minil Songa (spicy pork curry), and local rice beer, which are central to the celebration. |
| Culture & Community | Explore storytelling sessions, traditional crafts, bamboo artworks, and handwoven textiles at the handicraft stalls that showcase Garo artistry. |
History of Wangala Festival
Wangala is one of the oldest harvest festivals of the Garo community, rooted in the agrarian rhythms of Meghalaya’s hills. The festival honors Misi Saljong, the Sun God, for fertility and abundant crops. It traditionally includes offerings of rice beer, cooked rice, vegetables, and livestock to express gratitude for the year’s yield.
The modern organized version, known as the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival, began on 6–7 December 1976 in Asanang, near the Rongram C&RD Block Office, 18 km from Tura. What started as a small village celebration evolved into a state-sponsored event, featuring dance troupes from other Indian states and neighboring Bangladesh. The festival now attracts thousands of visitors annually, becoming a powerful symbol of Garo unity and cultural pride.
Significance of Wangala Festival 2025
Wangala holds profound spiritual and cultural significance for the Garo people.
- Spiritual Gratitude: The festival’s primary purpose is to give thanks to Saljong, the Sun God, for ensuring a plentiful harvest. The rituals symbolize the community’s harmonious relationship with nature.
- Cultural Preservation: It serves as a vibrant display of Garo music, dance, attire, and oral traditions, keeping centuries-old customs alive for future generations.
- Social Unity: The festival brings together multiple villages, promoting camaraderie, cooperation, and shared joy.
- Seasonal Transition: Wangala marks the end of agricultural work and the beginning of winter, a time for rest and celebration.
- Tourism and Economy: The festival also plays a role in boosting local tourism, empowering artisans and performers, and generating awareness of Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage.
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How is Wangala Festival 2025 Celebrated
Though village-level Wangala celebrations last two to three days, the modern 100 Drums Festival at Asanang extends across three days, each filled with ceremonies and performances.
Rituals and Ceremony
- First Day – Rugala and Cha·chat So·a: The priest (Kamal) pours rice beer (Rugala) and burns incense (Cha·chat So·a) as offerings to Saljong. These rituals, performed in the Nokma’s house, seek blessings for prosperity.
- Second Day – Kakkat: The following day continues with further offerings and blessings for the village and harvest.
- Final Day – The Main Celebration: The final day bursts into color and rhythm with hundreds of performers, marking the communal expression of gratitude and joy.
Dance and Attire
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Attire: Participants wear vibrant traditional garments like Dakmanda, Daksari, or Gando, complemented by feathered headgear (Do’me).
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Dance and Music: The highlight is the Dama Gogata, the main dance performed to the rhythm of the Dama drum, flutes, and gongs. Men and women dance in parallel lines symbolizing harmony between nature and people.
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Orchestra: The ensemble features drums, buffalo horn flutes, gongs, and bamboo wind instruments.
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Other Performances: Performances such as Katta Doka (spoken-singing), Dani Doka (songs describing Wangala), Ajia, and Chambil Mesaa (Pomelo Dance) add creative flair to the festivities.
The festival also features local games, exhibitions, food stalls, and cultural showcases that draw domestic and international tourists alike.
Conclusion
The Wangala Festival 2025, also known as the “100 Drums Festival,” remains a magnificent symbol of the Garo people’s deep bond with nature and tradition. Taking place from 5th to 7th November 2025, with the main celebration on 7th November, it combines ancient spirituality with modern vibrance. The sound of the drums, the fragrance of incense, the swirl of dancers, and the warmth of shared food together create a living mosaic of Meghalaya’s identity. For anyone seeking an authentic cultural journey, Wangala offers a rare glimpse into India’s northeastern soul — where every beat of the drum is a heartbeat of gratitude.
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