Wangala's 50th edition sets Guinness record with 1,000 drums in Garo Hills

Update, November 15: Guinness World Records title

The Golden Jubilee closed with a world record. The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee was awarded a Guinness World Records title for the Largest Wangala Dance on Saturday, after more than 1,000 dama drummers, women dancers and warriors performed together at Wangala A·dam, Syllad and The Shillong Times reported. Guinness adjudicator Richard Williams Stenning of the United Kingdom announced the result at the venue; a 12-member team from Garo Hills also helped judge the attempt, Highland Post said.

The Hindu put the turnout at about 1,500 women dancers and 1,000 drummers from the five Garo Hills districts. It recalled that Wangala was first organised in Tura in 1976 with 10 dama players, and that then Chief Minister Captain Williamson A. Sangma brought 100 drummers together for a second festival at Asananggre that December. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma put the starting figure at 20 drums. "This is a proud moment for the Garo people," he told The Hindu.

Shekhawat said Wangala could become an international festival like Nagaland's Hornbill, and that the Centre was willing to help Meghalaya promote Garo Hills for cultural tourism.

According to the West Garo Hills district administration's statement, carried by The News Mill, the state gave Rs 20 crore through the PWD for the venue and Rs 6 crore for this year's festival, of which Rs 36.65 lakh was for the Guinness application, adjudication and logistics. (The Sentinel's earlier figure, used below, was Rs 5.50 crore for the festival committee.)

In the dance competition among 10 contingents, Chidaogre won the trophy and Rs 2 lakh, Gondenggre came second (Rs 1.5 lakh) and Sadolbra third (Rs 1 lakh).

The 50th Wangala Festival ended on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Garo Heritage Village, Wangala A'dam in Chibragre near Tura. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma were present for the closing ceremony, The Sentinel Assam reported.

Festival overview

The celebrations spanned four days, from November 11 to November 14, and were organised by the 100 Drums Wangala Festival Committee. The Golden Jubilee edition expanded the traditional programme to include 1,000 drums and 3,000 dancers, a scale described as reflecting the festival’s central place in Garo cultural traditions. The event marked five decades since the first observance in 1976, making the 2026 edition the primary cultural celebration of the Garo community.

Government funding and infrastructure

Meghalaya sanctioned a total of ₹25.50 crore for the 50th Wangala Festival. Of this amount, ₹20 crore was allocated for infrastructure development through the Meghalaya Public Works Department (PWD), while ₹5.50 crore was earmarked for the 100 Drums Wangala Festival Committee’s budget. The PWD acted as the executing agency for construction and venue preparation, and the festival committee was responsible for organising the cultural performances and related logistics, according to the report.

Cultural and historical context

Wangala is a post-harvest thanksgiving festival dedicated to Misi Saljong, the Garo Sun God of fertility. The festival’s origins trace back to 1976, and it has grown into a major annual observance for the Garo people. The 2026 Golden Jubilee also highlighted the vision of former Meghalaya Chief Minister P. A. Sangma, whose plan to expand the drum ensemble to 1,000 was realised at Chibragre. The scale of the celebrations, with thousands of participants, underscored the event’s role in preserving and showcasing Garo heritage.

Closing ceremony and remarks

The closing ceremony on November 14 featured the chief guest, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, alongside Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. Both leaders addressed reporters, emphasizing the 50-year milestone and the importance of the festival for the Garo community’s cultural calendar. Their remarks also noted the state’s investment in festival infrastructure and organisation, reinforcing Meghalaya’s commitment to supporting traditional cultural events.

The conclusion of the four-day festival brought the Golden Jubilee celebrations to a close, leaving a record of 1,000 drums, 3,000 dancers and the participation of senior political leaders as a testament to Meghalaya’s dedication to cultural heritage.