Nongkrem Dance Festival: A celebration of Khasi Culture
The Nongkrem Dance Festival is a five-day religious festival celebrated by the Khasi people of Meghalaya, India. It is held annually in the month of November in the village of Smit, in Ri Bhoi district, about 11 kms from the capital city of Shillong.
Locally called as Shad Nongkrem Basuk, it is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Khasi people of Meghalaya. It is a festival of thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest and to pray for peace and prosperity in the land. The festival is also a time for the Khasi people to come together and reaffirm their unity and brotherhood.
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Shad Nongkrem Basuk is dedicated to the goddess Ka Blei Synshar, who is believed to be the goddess of fertility and harvest. It is a time for the Khasi people to thank the goddess for a bountiful harvest and to pray for her blessings in the coming year. Prayers are held in the form of dance rituals known as the Ka Shad Nongkrem dance. This dance is performed by unmarried girls and is a symbol of fertility and abundance. The dancers wear traditional Khasi costumes and perform a graceful dance that is said to please the goddess Ka Blei Synshar. Unmarried men perform the Ka Pomblang dance as a symbol of strength and virility. The dancers wear traditional Khasi costumes and perform a vigorous dance that is said to appease the goddess Ka Blei Synshar.
The dance rituals are performed on the fourth day of the month of Asweyu (October-November) in the Khasi calendar. The festival begins with a ritual cleansing of the village and the people. On the day of the festival, the people gather at the Nongkrem sacred grove, which is located in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya. The sacred grove is a place of great significance to the Khasi people, as it is believed to be the abode of their ancestors.
Step into the heart of Khasi culture during the enchanting Nongkrem Dance Festival in Smit. Much like other festivals in Meghalaya,the Nongkrem Dance Festival is a beautiful tribute to Ka Blei Synshar,invoking her blessings for a prosperous harvest&the well-being of the community pic.twitter.com/ZjeO5dBbHJ
— Meghalaya Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare (@Meghalaya_agri) November 2, 2023
At the sacred grove, people offer prayers and sacrifices to God, sing, dance and feast together. The festival culminates in a grand procession, in which people carry sacred basket of Nongkrem back to their villages. The Nongkrem rituals is deeply rooted in the Khasi culture and traditions. The Khasi people are a predominantly agrarian community, and so a good harvest is essential for their survival and well-being.
The Nongkrem festival also brings together people from all walks of Khasi society, regardless of their social status or clan affiliation. It is a time for the Khasi people to reaffirm their common identity and to celebrate their shared culture and traditions. It celebrates peace and unity among the Khasi people, while marking the end of the old agricultural year and the beginning of a new one.
The Shad Nongkrem Basuk is a vibrant and colorful festival that is a must-see for visitors to Meghalaya. The festival is a testament to the rich culture and traditions of the Khasi people. It is also a reminder of the importance of peace, unity, and renewal in society.
