The 45th edition of the Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) 2019, the largest and oldest ethnic festival in the Northeast, was kicked off at Taralangso, Karbi People’s Hall, here in Karbi Anglong district in the morning on Friday.
The event started at 9 am with Rong Ketong- Karbi traditional procession participated by 26 KCS including Biswanath Chariali, Damra (Kamrup) and Umrangso.
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The dancers from different zones in their traditional dresses came to the venue for inauguration from their respective camps inside the festival campus.
The colourful procession, which covered nearly a kilometre with the participants bearing symbolic shields and swords and the tribe’s totem pole Jambili Athon, drew attention of all..
Chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang inaugurated the 45th KYF in presence of thousands of participants, cultural activists, researchers, journalists and the members of the organiser KCS.
CEM Ronghang said, “The developments carried out till now are done with KAAC’s own revenue. The fund from MoS is yet to come and then more development will be carried out. Boundary wall for Karbi People’s Hall will be constructed.”
Earlier, KCS president Chandra Sing Kro hoisted the KCS flag in presence of general secretary Bidya Sing Rongpi and dignitaries including Karbi king Harsing Ronghang and Dumra (Kamrup) Karbi king Ramsing Ronghang.
Kro said the road to KYF venue is still not complete due to issues regarding land.
The people on both sides of the road were reluctant to make for the road.
The road can be widened only after boundary wall for the residences and gates were constructed, he said.