Garo Cultural Forum urges Assam CM Sarma to fund Wangala Festival, heritage centre
Synopsis
At the Wangala Festival in Chibragre, the Garo Cultural Forum handed Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma a memorandum seeking annual government grants, a permanent cultural stage, traditional Garo model houses, and a museum-cum-research centre in Goalpara — laying out one of the most comprehensive cultural preservation pitches made to the state in recent years.
Key Takeaways
The Garo Cultural Forum, Assam submitted a memorandum to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on 12 November 2026 during the Wangala Festival at Chibragre .
The Forum seeks an annual government grant for the Wangala Festival at Chotipara in Goalpara district .
Demands include a permanent multi-purpose open stage , traditional Garo model houses (Nokmong and Nokpante), and a Garo Cultural Museum and Research Centre .
The proposed museum would preserve oral traditions, folk literature, instruments such as the Dama , Kram , and Adil , and handloom products like the Dakmanda .
The memorandum was signed by Forum president Desal Bimik Marak and secretary Raksil Marak ; the Forum was formed on 18 October 2022 .
The Garo Cultural Forum, Assam, has formally appealed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to extend financial and administrative support for the preservation and promotion of the Garo community's cultural heritage in Goalpara district. The memorandum was submitted on 12 November 2026 during the ongoing Wangala Festival at Chibragre, where Sarma participated as chief guest on the second day of the celebrations.
Key Demands in the Memorandum
The Forum's memorandum, signed by president Desal Bimik Marak and secretary Raksil Marak, outlined several concrete requests. Chief among them is an annual government grant to ensure the sustainable organisation of the Wangala Festival at Chotipara, which falls under the 13 No. Goalpara West (ST) Assembly constituency. The Forum also called for the construction of a permanent multi-purpose open stage at the Chotipara cultural complex, noting that organisers currently spend heavily on temporary bamboo structures each year.
Established on 18 October 2022, the Forum has been organising the Wangala Festival in association with the Garo Students' Union (Assam State Zone) and the Garo Sahitya Sabha.
Proposed Cultural Museum and Traditional Architecture
The memorandum also proposed the construction of traditional Garo model houses — specifically the Nokmong and Nokpante — using indigenous materials such as bamboo, timber, cane, and thatch, to protect the community's architectural legacy. Additionally, the Forum sought the establishment of a Garo Cultural Museum and Research Centre at Chotipara to document oral traditions, folk literature, agricultural implements, and traditional musical instruments including the Dama, Kram, and Adil.
The proposed centre would also preserve indigenous handloom products such as the Dakmanda. According to the Forum, the institution could attract scholars, students, and tourists, serving as a hub for cultural documentation and academic research.
Significance of the Wangala Festival
The Wangala Festival is described by the Garo community as their most important post-harvest thanksgiving celebration, serving as a platform for indigenous music, folk dances, and traditional rituals. The Forum argued that sustained government support would not only preserve these practices but also foster unity and social harmony among the community. This comes amid broader national conversations around safeguarding tribal and indigenous cultures under constitutional frameworks.
What Happens Next
The Forum expressed hope for a positive response from the state government, urging concrete steps to safeguard the Garo community's distinct cultural identity and indigenous legacy in Assam. No formal response from Chief Minister Sarma's office had been reported at the time of publication.
Point of View
With organisers rebuilding temporary structures year after year. What the Forum is really asking for is institutional parity — the kind of state-backed permanence that majority cultural events routinely receive. Whether Sarma's government responds with a budget line or merely a photo-op at the festival will be a meaningful test of its tribal cultural policy in the run-up to state elections.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the Garo Cultural Forum demanded from the Assam government?
The Garo Cultural Forum has sought an annual government grant for the Wangala Festival, construction of a permanent open stage and traditional Garo model houses, and the establishment of a Garo Cultural Museum and Research Centre at Chotipara in Goalpara district. The memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 12 November 2026 during the Wangala Festival at Chibragre.
What is the Wangala Festival?
Wangala is the Garo community's most important post-harvest thanksgiving festival, celebrated annually with indigenous music, folk dances, and traditional rituals. It serves as a platform for cultural expression and community solidarity among the Garo people of Assam and neighbouring states.
What would the proposed Garo Cultural Museum preserve?
The proposed Garo Cultural Museum and Research Centre at Chotipara would document the community's oral traditions, folk literature, agricultural implements, and traditional musical instruments including the Dama, Kram, and Adil. It would also preserve indigenous handloom products such as the Dakmanda, and serve as a centre for academic research and education.
Who submitted the memorandum and when was the Garo Cultural Forum formed?
The memorandum was signed by Forum president Desal Bimik Marak and secretary Raksil Marak. The Garo Cultural Forum, Assam, was established on 18 October 2022 and has since organised the Wangala Festival in association with the Garo Students' Union (Assam State Zone) and the Garo Sahitya Sabha.
Where is the Wangala Festival held and which constituency does it fall under?
The Wangala Festival is held at Chotipara, which falls under the 13 No. Goalpara West (ST) Assembly constituency in Goalpara district, Assam. The current celebrations were held at Chibragre, where CM Sarma attended as chief guest on the second day.
