“Every year we eagerly await this festival called Wanna' which is a source of spiritual and mental rejuvenation,’ said Sister Minita of Ihaljhalia Mission in Haluaghat Upazila of the district. The sixth 'Wanna' celebration was observed on December 4 and 5 with a thanksgiving to the Almighty.

“God helps us in our survival and 'Wanna' gives us the opportunity to connect with people of different castes, creeds and religions," Sister Minita told this correspondent as she spoke on the conclusion of the two-day Wanna’ celebration at Askipara village in Haluaghat.

^.“Tbe Garos have been observing this festival for centuries. Now it has become a symbol of the cultural identity of the indigenous Garo people," said MitaliChisim.

The celebrations revolved around rituals.

dances and the display of the traditional instruments and crafts made and used by the Garos. Marking the occasion, Askipara, a village at the lap of the Garo Hills, took on a festive look. The whole area reverberated with activity as hundreds of Garos participated in the cultural programme. Indigenous cultural groups from other districts also took part in the festivities.

The sixth 'Wanna' festival began with the offering of vegetables and fruits to the Divine for a better future. Jairam Drong, the 'Nakma' (Garo traditional priest) inaugurated the festival and offered ’Chu,’ a home-brewed drink, to the assembled people. A huge audience, including high profile foreign dignitaries, enjoyed the vibrant festival. Earlier the guests were recaved in a traditional manner.

The concluding day was marked by a dazzling display of dances and unique songs performed by 19 cultural groups from in and outside the district.

“Every dance sequence has a different theme," said Tuly Mrong, a cultural organiser. The audience was treated to a chain description of different activities of Garo people round the year. The clearing of jungles to prepare the land for cultivation was the inaugural theme of the dance sequence. Later the theme emphasised the need to collect saplings and plant them, and drive away unwanted birds and insects to save their crops, harvesting, catching fish in groups and the selection of life partners — the mostamusingsequence.

“It was our tradition to choose life partners through 'Wanna' in the past but this tradition has disappeared," said Shimul Rangsha, a performer. “Through 'Wanna' we go back to our roots and such celebrations should-gather momentum," asserted Shimul. “This year's Wanna was vibrant and it enables the younger generation to revive their ancestral cultural heritage," said Moitree Snal, another cultural organiser and performer.