The Nagaland Garo Tribal Council (NGTC) has expressed resentment for not including Wangala, a post-harvest festival of the Garos in Dimapur district that falls on November 21.
In a press statement, NGTC president Biplab K Sangma claimed that the Garo tribe, being one of the recognized indigenous tribes, has five recognized villages in Dimapur district since time immemorial.
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He also pointed out that the community had been a part of the main Hornbill Festival since many years, showcasing and presenting its culture and traditions along with other tribes of the State.
He also referred to setting up of Garo Nokpante, a traditional morung at Kisama, Naga heritage village, and said the privilege was strictly reserved only for the recognised tribes.
Sangma was of the view that despite all these contribution by the community, it is indeed a disappointment that the Wangala festival is not included in the mini hornbill festival by ‘overlooking the facts’.
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Earlier, a delegation of NGTC, along with Garo Students’ Union Nagaland Zone, met Governor P B Acharya at Raj Bhawan, Kohima on May 11 last and submitted a memorandum regarding this matter and other grievances of the Garos of Nagaland.
A copy of the memorandum was also submitted at the Chief Minister’s residential office.
However, the NFTC has welcomed the state government’s decision to hold mini hornbill festivals in all the districts of the State.
It may also be recalled that the Dimasa Public Organization Nagaland (DPON) had also expressed strong resentment against the government for non-inclusion of Bishu festival, a post harvest festival of the Dimasas (Kacharis) under Dimapur district.