Garo hills Song Kristan adds to festivities

From Our Correspondent

TURA, JAN 2: Festivities is never ending in Garo hills. The

demonstration of the euphoria and the way of life in the Christian dominated region can be felt beyond Christmas and New Year celebration.

The bordering villages of Assam and Meghalaya on Monday came alive with the sounds of drums, cymbals and flute as thousands marched through the street dancing and singing praise to the almighty Lord Jesus Christ.

The villagers showcased the age-old practice of song Kristan, which literally means Christian Dance.

“It is basically a dance form, which is being celebrated since time immemorial by our forefathers, when they accepted Christ as their saviour”, said Sengman Momin, a music teacher from Tura, who witnessed the event in North Garo hills.

The district has been the hub for a mass performance of song Kristan dance every year. The faithful, along with their friends and relatives take to street every year to perform the Song Kristan Dance.

It is performed in different localities in the month of December and January. Mostly children and youths from the village go around singing and dancing to different households. They collect donation, which is used for mass picnic and feasting during Christmas and New Year.

“The mass song Kristan dance is celebrated in different parts of North Garo Hills for about two decade now. The main aim is to give impetus to our culture and Garos’ way of celebration. The season of Christmas provides the perfect time for us to host the event as most people are back home and can take part”, remarked Momin.