Wangala

Wangala is a traditional harvest festival of the Garo people of Meghalaya, northeastern India. It is also known as the Hundred Drums festival, a reference to the drum procession that is the centerpiece of the celebration. The festival is held after the harvest to give thanks to the community's deities and ancestors for a fruitful year and to seek blessings for the future.

A defining feature of Wangala is the large drum ensemble, traditionally comprising many drums of varying sizes arranged in tiers. The drums are played in a coordinated rhythm by a lead drummer and accompanying percussionists, producing a powerful, pulsing soundtrack for songs and dances. Community members participate in singing, dancing, and ritual gestures; men and women wear traditional attire, with beaded jewelry and woven garments playing a prominent role in the visual display.

Wangala typically includes a procession and a sequence of dances known as the Wangala dance, performed to the drum music. The celebrations can span several days and are accompanied by feasting and social gatherings. While rooted in Garo cultural and religious practices, Wangala is widely observed across the Garo-inhabited regions of Meghalaya and has become an important festival for regional identity, tourism, and cultural heritage programs.