Shillong(Meghalaya), Nov 11: The Nongkrem dance festival concluded today at Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills .
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was the chief guest on the concluding day .
The Chief Minister also witnessed the Pomblang Ïewduh ceremony today which is a part of the festival.
Shad Nongkrem is performed to appease the Goddess for a rich harvest & prosperity of the people.
Similar to all other festivals of the Meghalaya, Nongkrem Dance Festival is performed to appease the all powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich bumper harvest and prosperity of the people.
The Syiem of Khyrim along with the high priest performed the Pomblang ceremony. He offered oblation to a Lei Shyllong; the God of Shyllong peak by sacrificing a cock. An important part of this festival is Pomblang (sacrifice of goats). Then offerings are made to the ancestor and ancestress of the ruling clan to the first uncle to the deity of Shillong peak.
Religious part of the festival precedes dances, in which unmarried girls in all their exotic costumes participate. The men’s dancing is naturally more vigorous and energetic. They hold a sword in their right hand and usually a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and playing of the tangmuri or pipes.
It’s a beautiful day to be at Nongkrem for the Shad Nongkrem, a beautiful festival of the Khasi tribe.
Shad Nongkrem is performed to appease the Goddess for a rich harvest & prosperity of the people. Witnessed the Pomblang Ïewduh ceremony today.@kishanreddybjp @MDoNER_India pic.twitter.com/sQiO8DcTaU
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 11, 2021
