Wangala (100 Drums)
The Garo thanksgiving to the sun-god, danced to a hundred drums.
Wangala is the great post-harvest thanksgiving of the Garo people of western Meghalaya, held in November in honour of Misi Saljong, the sun-god who blesses the crops. Its signature is the hundred-drums performance at Asanang near Tura, where lines of drummers and dancers in feathered headdresses move in unison to a thunderous, hypnotic rhythm — one of the most powerful sights in the Northeast.
A celebration of Garo identity, strength and community, Wangala is the cultural highlight of the Garo Hills and a compelling reason to visit western Meghalaya, a region far less travelled than Shillong and Sohra.
Know before you go
- The main event is at Asanang, near Tura in the Garo Hills.
- No permit needed for Meghalaya; Tura is a long drive from Guwahati.
- Combine with the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
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