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49th Wangala Festival Concludes as Meghalaya Sets Funding, Road Upgrade and 2026 'One Thousand Drums' Plan

Concrete government commitments position the festival for a scaled-up 2026 Golden Jubilee.

Overview

  • The three-day 49th Hundred Drums Wangala at Garo Heritage Village in Chibragre ended on November 8 after drawing thousands for rituals, dances and indigenous games.
  • Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attended as chief guest and confirmed a Rs 20 crore upgrade of the approach road to Wangala A'dam, with work underway ahead of next year.
  • He handed Rs 25 lakh to the organising committee, made a personal contribution and proposed creating a state-level Wangala Committee to steer preparations.
  • The government plans to expand the 2026 Golden Jubilee into a 'One Thousand Drums' edition, a vision attributed to the late P. A. Sangma.
  • Officials highlighted cultural research initiatives, including a migration study committee and the Chief Minister’s Research Grant that funds 50 scholars annually with ₹3 lakh each to document tribal heritage.