Karbi Youth Festival begins.
Karbi Youth Festival:
The largest and oldest ethnic celebration in Northeast India is the Karbi Youth celebration. The Karbi and other ethnic communities who live in the regions under the jurisdiction of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council are the main celebrators of this occasion.
Since its inception in the early 1980s, the Karbi Youth Festival has served as a model for the preservation and advancement of ethnic identity among other tribes.
- Annual festival celebrated by the Karbi people in East and West Karbi Anglong districts, Assam.
- Considered India’s oldest ethnic festival.
- Organized by the Karbi Cultural Society (KCS).
- Locally known as “Karbi Riso-Nimso Rong Aje”.
- The purpose of this youth festival is to raise awareness of and spread across the world community the cultural heritage of all individuals of Karbi descent.
History
- The genesis of the Karbi Youth Festival was born on 1974 inside the four walls at Diphu jail.
- Leaders while in custody imagined a new resurgent Karbi youth through cultural initiatives. Among some of youth force includes Roi Enghi, Pari Rongpi, Lawrence Teron, etc.
- First held in 1974 at Diphu Club, Diphu to preserve Karbi culture, traditional attire, and folk arts.
- KCS was formed in 1977 to manage the festival and preserve Karbi traditions.
- Initially celebrated at different locations, shifting yearly.
- Since 1994, permanently hosted at Taralangso, Diphu.
Taralangso – Permanent Venue
- Known as Karbi People Hall (KPH).
- Facilities include Cultural Museum, 4 Open Stages, Indoor Stage, Artisan Village, Helipads, Eco-Park, Guest House, and Playgrounds.
Celebration
- Main festival dates: 15–19 February every year at KPH, Taralangso, Diphu.
- Daily Highlights:
- 15 Feb: Opening ceremony, participant arrivals.
- 16 Feb: Traditional games, oral recitations.
- 17-18 Feb: Pageant, strongman contests, rap battles, cultural performances.
- 19 Feb: Closing ceremony, music festival.
- Various traditional song and dance competitions take place.
