The 34th Zonal Karbi Youth Festival will be held at Rengbeng Karbi village in Kathiatoli in Assam’s Nagaon district from October 18 to 20, bringing together members of the Karbi community to celebrate their cultural identity and promote the preservation of their traditional heritage.
The three-day festival will feature a range of cultural programmes, competitions and activities highlighting the traditional art, language, attire, cuisine and sports of the Karbi community. The event is being organised with a focus on preserving and promoting the cultural practices of Karbi people living outside the Karbi Anglong district.
According to the organising committee, the festival aims to provide a platform for members of the community to showcase their traditions and strengthen awareness of their cultural heritage, particularly among younger generations.
Organisers have expressed concern that several traditional practices of the Karbi community outside Karbi Anglong face the risk of gradually declining. In this context, the annual festival is expected to play a role in encouraging younger people to learn about their cultural roots and remain connected to their community’s customs and traditions.
The festival will offer participants opportunities to demonstrate their traditional skills and take part in activities reflecting the community’s distinct cultural identity. Through these programmes, the organisers seek to ensure that Karbi traditions continue to be practised, documented and passed on to future generations.
The Zonal Karbi Youth Festival also aims to strengthen community participation and provide a common platform for people to come together to celebrate their shared heritage. The organisers believe that such cultural gatherings can help sustain traditional knowledge and practices at a time when changing social circumstances may affect their continuity.
The organising committee has appealed to members of the Karbi community and people from all sections of society to attend the three-day event and extend their support to efforts to preserve and promote Karbi cultural heritage.
With preparations underway for the October 18 opening, the festival is set to highlight the richness of Karbi traditions and the importance of safeguarding the community’s cultural identity for future generations.
