Ka Pomblang Nongkrem

Ka Pomblang Nongkrem or Shad Nongkrem is the most important and elaborate festival of the Khasis. This five day long colourful festival, is held annually in November at Smit, the capital of the Khyrem Syiemship near Shillong for thanksgiving to the Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich harvest and prosperity of the people.

An important part of this festival is Pomblang (decapitation of goats) Ceremony, at which goats are sacrificed and offerings are made to the ancestor and ancestress of the ruling clan and the deity of Shillong peak (U-Lei Shillong). A sanctification ceremony of the Tangmuri (pipes) as queen of the musical instruments, form part of the ritual.

After the religious rituals, on the fourth day, Khasi men and women, dressed in traditional splendour, perform the famous Nongkrem dance.

For the Nongkrem dance, young lads brilliantly clad in colourful silk dhotis, coat and a plumed turban, adorning glittering ornaments dance around with a sword or spear in one hand and usually a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and playing of the Tangmuri (pipes). Pretty maidens in magnificent silk-robes and elaborately decked in priceless intricately designed ornaments of gold and silver and wearing a silver crown move in an inner circle in two's and three's in tiny steps while the lads form a protective ring around them flashing their weapons. The men's dancing is more vigorous and energetic. The festival ends on the Fifth day with the ' Syiem' offering a prayer of thanks giving to the Creator.

Seng Kut Snem

Meghalaya is also known as a “Tribal Land” with a number of tribal communities living here. As different tribal groups have different traditions and customs associated with them, all the major festivals celebrated here are based on the religious and spiritual sentiments of localites here. 

Among all the tribal groups existing in Meghalaya, the Khasi community is one of the largest and has its own culture, religion, beliefs and identity. The Festival of Seng Kut Snem is celebrated in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. It is an annual indigenous festival held in the month of November.

Seng Kut Snem is a festival of Khasi Community which is largely celebrated to preserve and exhibit their culture and traditions. The festival not only is a preservative for the culture of Khasi community it also acts as a reminder to all cultures across India to retain their cultural and religious significance.

The festival acts as a means of fun and entertainment for the Khasi Community as they sing, dance, play music and have great merriment. Sound of different musical instruments fill the atmosphere with fresh vibrancy. Kids, adults, men and women all come together to celebrate this festival and make it memorable.

Earlier simply a religious act, the festival of Seng Kut Snem has slowly grown in its popularity and entire Shillong waits for this festival year long. Not only for the locals of Shillong, but tourists from outside find it very attractive and interesting.