Beating sounds

This festival is only one of an array of unique celebrations in the state. Others, as unusual, are held across meghalaya. Every autumn, the nongkrem dance is held at smit, the cultural hotspot of the khasi hills, to commemorate the evolution of the khasi indigenous democratic states. Another colourful khasi celebration is shad suk mynsiem, a thanks giving festival held in the springtime. Virgins dressed in traditional finery, and men in elaborate costumes, dance to music from drums and pipes called the tangmuri, the queen of musical instruments. A monsoon festival takes place in the jowai and jaintiahills which, apart from religious ceremonies, features a game of football called ‘datlawakor’. This festival is held to pray for a bountifull harvest and to chase away plague and disease.