Nongkrem Dance 2026: Khyrim Hima rites at Smit, holiday in East Khasi Hills

The annual Pomblang Syiem of Khyrim Hima, better known as the Nongkrem Dance, is under way at Smit near Shillong. The rites began on Saturday, October 31, with prayers, offerings, ceremonial sacrifices and customary dances, Shillong Today reported.

The Meghalaya government has declared Monday, November 2, a local holiday in East Khasi Hills on account of the Nongkrem Dance, the General Administration Department said in a notification reported by Highland Post last week.

Holiday for offices, schools and banks

State government offices, revenue and magisterial courts and educational institutions in East Khasi Hills stay closed on November 2. The holiday does not apply to central government offices. Using Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the state has also declared the day a holiday for banks and financial institutions in the district.

Pomblang Iewduh on Sunday

The observances continued on Sunday, November 1, with Pomblang Iewduh, one of the main parts of the festival. The rites started at the Iingsad, the traditional ceremonial house of the Syiem at Smit, after which a procession went up the sacred hill for prayers and sacrifices.

A key ritual at Lum Pomblang Iewduh is the sacrifice of the 'Lang Nyngkong', the first ceremonial goat, carried out by one of the Duhalia as laid down by the traditions of the Hima. Traditional dances follow at the site, with the Syiem Khynnah taking part alongside the Syiem of Mylliem, according to the report.

Before the procession leaves the Iingsad, customary rites are held inside the house while male dancers perform in the courtyard. In the afternoon, the Syiem hands out betel nuts to the Duhalia. Dancers then lead the procession to the beat of drums and the tangmuri, a traditional wind instrument. A woman carrying ritual articles in a khoh, a covered traditional basket, walks with the procession and, by custom, must go straight ahead without looking back until she reaches the ceremonial site.

Pomtiah, Umni and the closing day

Pomblang Iewduh follows the Khasi cycle of days and is preceded by Pomtiah and Umni. During Pomtiah, prayers are offered for the well-being of the Hima and its people and 'khapiah', prepared with salt and ginger, is shared inside the Iingsad from evening until midnight. Umni brings more rituals and another ceremonial meal. These ceremonies are not open to the public.

The festival then moves to Pomblang Lyngka, the concluding day. It features a thanksgiving dance in the courtyard of the Iingsad by male and female dancers, including members of the Syiem's family, in traditional attire and ornaments. Early that day, the Bujai Blang ritual is performed with the goats brought by the different Raids and Shnat Raids of Khyrim Hima. After the dancing ends towards evening, prayers are offered and the Syiem Khynnah leads the ceremonial sacrifice of the goats, marked by gunshots fired into the air.

The Nongkrem Dance is one of the best-known festivals of the Khasi people and draws large crowds to Smit every year. It is a thanksgiving for the harvest and a prayer for the welfare and prosperity of the Hima and its people, and reflects Khyrim Hima's effort to keep its ancestral faith and customs alive.