Written by: Avik Chakraborty
Dibrugarh: In a vibrant celebration of Wancho tribal heritage, thousands of villagers gathered at the Chief’s Residence in Pumao, under Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh, on Friday for the much-anticipated Kham (Log Drum) Pulling Ceremony-cum-Installation Programme.
The event, steeped in centuries-old tradition, drew participants from four villages — Pumao, Longkhaw, Chatting, and Maihua — who came together in a show of cultural pride and community solidarity.
The ceremony was presided over by Chief Guest Gabriel D. Wangsu. Ranphoa Ngowa attended as Guest of Honour, while Thangwang Wangham graced the occasion as Special Guest.
The Kham, or log drum, holds deep cultural significance in Wancho society. The pulling ceremony begins with a sacred song known as Kham Pai Tsai — meaning the “song of lifting the log drum” — through which the community seeks permission from the spirits of nature, asking birds, squirrels, and insects to forgive them for taking the tree that once sheltered them.
The Kham varies in size, sometimes reaching up to 12 metres in length and 3 metres in circumference. It is traditionally carved in the form of a head, body, and tail.
In earlier times, it was beaten with large wooden sticks called Kham Thutkia to communicate urgent messages to the village, such as warnings of approaching enemies, the presence of a tiger near the settlement, announcements of festivals, or the death of community elders.
The programme also featured a welcome dance by Pumao girls and a cultural performance titled Echoes of Ancestral Beginnings by Nahphua Wangpan and his group.