Essay on “Ka Pomblang Nongkrem” Festival
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem is the most important and elaborate festival of the Khasis in Meghalaya. This five-day-long colourful festival is held annually in November at Smit, the capital of Khyrem Syiemship, near Shillong.
It is an occasion for thanksgiving to the all-powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich harvest and prosperity of the people. An important part of this festival is the Pomblang (decapitation of goats) Ceremony, in which goats offered by subjects to the ‘Syiem of Khyrem’, are sacrificed and offerings are made to the ancestor. The ‘Syiem’ is the administrative head of Hima. Ka Syiem Sad, the eldest sister of the king, is the chief priest who presides over the ceremonies. After the religious rituals, on the fourth day, Khasi men and women, dressed in traditional splendour, perform the famous Nongkrem dance. At dawn-break, on that day a maiden dance is held by virgins from Syiem’ house. The festival ends on the fifth day with the ‘Syiem’ offering a prayer of thanksgiving to the creator.
