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.

Nongkrem dance Festival

The Nongkrem dance Festival is an extremely popular religious festival celebrated in the state of Meghalaya located in the North eastern zone of India. The festival is generally celebrated in the month of November. It lasts for about five days during the autumn season amidst chilling winters. It is the most popular festival for the inhabitants of Khasi hills. It can be termed as a grand carnival that involves flow of wealth, sacrifice of animals and an environment of religious fervor.

The venue of festival celebration is fixed since years and that is Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, India is about 11km from Shillong. This festival was initially named Ka Pemblang Nongrem, which over the years has been popularly termed as Nongkrem dance Festival.

Meghalaya celebrates many fairs and festivals most of which are dedicated to appease the all powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich bumper harvest and prosperity of the people.

The most important part of Nongkrem dance Festival is the ritual of Pemblang ceremony, which is performed by the Syiem of Khyrim along with the high priest. It refers to the sacrifice of an animal. The priest then offers an oblation to Lei Shyllong; the god of Shyllong peak by sacrificing a cock. The offerings are made to the ancestors of the ruling clan.

Apart from the religious practices there are a number of cultural programs and events that are organized. Normally, young and unmarried girls participate in them. During the cultural programs girls can be seen wearing colorful and beautiful outfits. Not only girls but men also participate in the cultural events. The dances performed by men are more energetic. They hold a sword in their right 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 or pipes.

Smit

Distance: 11 kms

How to Reach: By Bus and by taxi
Smit is known as the Khasi culture center. Smit lies on NH 44, 4 kms off the Jowai road from Shillong.