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Entertainments
The off season periods from the labours of the field or such
occupations are periods when people the world over, seek amusements in sports
and other forms of entertainments. Among the Garos, the young and the robust indulge
in trials of strength like wrestling (Cha-gripa) wa-bong-sik', a variation of
tug-of-war.
With the aid of a bamboo pole, each side trying to push the other to
defeat. Another contest for two men is the Wa-pong-kol'a with two men sitting
astride a bamboo pole facing each other. Each would try to lever his opponent up
from the sitting position using the pole only. The Jakol-Kala'a has been
described as a point-to-point race between two homes with opponents trying to
catch the runner before he reaches the next home. This naturally requires
stamina and speed. The most popular past time among Khasis and Pnars is archery.
Khasi bows are lighter than the ones used in hunting. The arrows have pointed
iron heads. This is a game of skill and the target is a slender bundle of straw
about handgrip thick. The distance to the target is roughly 25 metres. This is a
contest between individuals primarily but between villages, climaxed by a
straight contest between individual champions. This may extend over a period of
weeks, being held on a 'rest day'. In the Shillong area, the day is usually the
lyngka day the one following the important market day or 'burra bazaar'.
Obviously, the side that scores the largest number of hits wins. An interesting
and entertaining feature of the game comes at the end when the winning team
parades up and down the field throwing out paeans of triumph to the uninitiated
sounds of insulting the other team, but this is actually done in a spirit of fun
and banter. The winning side knows very well that at the next round they may be
the losers.
In recent years this entertaining sports has been abused by the introduction
of the element of gambling but in rural areas the game goes on all its
innocence.
Hunting and fishing are the seasonal sports which engage people as
recreational activities. Fishing with reels and the line has become popular. At
the Umiam damsite, fishing competitions are held every year. Prizes are awarded
to the best angler.
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