Nongkrem Dance merrier this year with Governor’s assent on Hima Khyrim Syiemship Act

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 13, 2024

The annual Nongkrem Dance Festival this year was more merrier than ever before as Hima Khyrim was blessed with the long awaited Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination, Succession and Election of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngskor, Bakhraw, Longsan, Mansan, Shnat Raid, Rangbah Shnong or Sordar Shnong and Administration of Khyrim Syiemship) Act 2024.

Passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC)on March 12, 2024, the Act was legislated to safeguard and preserve the customary practices within Khyrim Syiemship in matters relating to the administration, appointment and succession of
Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngskor, Bakhraw, Longsan, Mansan, Shnat Raid, Rangbah Shnong or Sordar Shnong and also for streamlining and strengthening the traditional system of administration of Hima Khyrim.

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination, Succession and Election of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngskor, Bakhraw, Longsan, Mansan, Shnat Raid, Rangbah Shnong or Sordar Shnong and Administration of Khyrim Syiemship) Bill 2024 was assented by Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankarrecently and it was subsequently published on the Gazettee of Meghalaya on November 11 this year a day before the grand finale of the Annual Nongkrem Dance Festival.

The Nongkrem Dance also known as the Pomblang Dance is an annual event of Hima Khyrim with enthusiastic participation from male and female dancers and followed by the traditional goat sacrifices ceremony.

Thousands of people witnessed the annual dance festival held in Smit village the headquarters of Hima Khyrim under East Khasi Hills District.

The festival was attended by Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Sniawbhalang Dhar, Chief Justice of High Court of Meghalaya Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji, Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Lyngdoh, KHADC Chief Executive MemberPynïaid Sing Syiem, Deputy CEM PN Syiem, Pa’iem of Hima Khyrim, Dr. Balajied Sing Syiem, along with MLAs, MDCs, and other prominent figures attended the festival.

On the sideline of the festival, the KHADC chief informed that the Act would strengthen the traditional customs and practices of Hima Khyrim, ensuring their preservation against any external influences.

Expressing his appreciation to the Governor for his assent, Pa’iem Dr. Balajied Sing Syiem said the Act was a blessing for Hima Khyrim, particularly in terms of governance, customs, and religious practices.