Shillong, October 25: Inaugurating the two days “Monolith Festival” at the Khasi Heritage village near the world renowned Mawphlang sacred groove on Friday, Union Tribal Affairs minister Kishore Singh Deo described this unique festival as first of its kind and hoped that it would be model for other tribal communities in the entire country.
The “Monolith Festival” showcases the rich traditional and cultural heritage of over fifty-three Himas of the Khasis under one roof and is in a way “path-breaking”. The festival is organized by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The festival features the undiluted tribal life and rich cultural traditions of the Khasis. A visitor can get a glimpse of the Khasi music, dance and food under one roof for two days.
An impressed Deo told the gathering at the opening day of the two days festival that he had always strive as union minister for tribal affairs to protect, preserved the rich tribal traditional arts, culture, craft and knowledge of traditional medicinal herbs that have been passed by the ancestor to the present generation.
Deo said, “By highlighting and acknowledging the achievements of tribal we not only preserve and protect the country’s heritage, but by showcasing it in festivals such as this it will also boost tourism. He said even as we as a civilization move forward he is trying to promote tribal culture so that people do not forget their roots,
Deo observed that the diverse aspects of the tribal of the Khasi hills and Mawphlang has redefined and conserved the heritage village of Mawphlang.
Visitors were dazzled by the huts that were erected in the Heritage village as it was constructed in the traditional way of the different Himas (Kingdoms). Both domestic and foreign tourists were seen glued to the well crafted traditional stone structures with grass roofed taking them back to the days when concrete buildings was still foreign.
A shutterbug clicking away the huts said, “I am happy to be here today to witness that our old tradition and cultures are being preserved in an era when westernization is taking over every cultures.” He said having a heritage village such as this is the need of the hour as it will help the younger generations to know about their root and rich cultural heritage.
Earlier, KHADC chief executive member Pynshngainlang N Syiem said, “The concept of constructing the Heritage Village is to add more dimension to our tradition and cultures, its distinctiveness and uniqueness of our way of life.”
Syiem said the Monoliths are a distinctive facet of the Khasis which symbolizes the unity and strength of its people. He informed that the festival will be made an annual affair even as he said that the KHADC is trying its best through this festival to enrich, protect and preserve the rich tradition and cultural heritage and protect it from the onslaught of foreign cultures.
Villagers from different Himas under KHADC jurisdiction participated in the festival. The villagers were in their colourful traditional attires. The visitors were also treated to the traditional foods and cuisines that were on sale in the different stalls.
Traditional and folks songs and dances were also performed by different Himas including Hima Mylliem, Raid Jirang, Raid Bhoi Lasa, Hima Shella, Hima Nongstoin, Raid Narlien, and others at the ampi-theatre.- By Our Reporter
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