Shillong: The Shyntor Festival, an eco-cultural event centred on rural life and community traditions, will be held from December 11 to 13 at Shyntor Bulia village in Ri-Bhoi district. The festival is being organised by the Rongjeng Welfare Foundation in collaboration with the Dorbar Shnong Shyntor and partner organisations.
Shyntor Bulia, located around 25 km from Nongpoh along the GS Road, is home to about 450 residents across 65 households. Set between the Umsiang and Umsha rivers, the village will host visitors for three days, with accommodation arranged in tents and traditional bamboo huts managed by local residents.
Organisers expect around 200 visitors to stay in the village during the festival, with additional footfall anticipated from day visitors. Tickets are now available across towns in Meghalaya and neighbouring states.
The programme will include music performances, storytelling, sand animation, ventriloquism, cultural activities and evening bonfire sessions. An art residency will run alongside the festival, featuring artists from Meghalaya and other parts of the country who will display their work during the event.
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Visitors will also be able to take part in craft demonstrations, weaving activities, cultural exchanges with village residents and a friendly football match. Local cuisine prepared with produce from the area will be part of the event, alongside community cooking activities.
Shyntor Festival is being organised as a non-profit initiative. The organisers said proceeds from ticket sales will be used for village development projects and to support long-term community-focused programmes. The event is being held in coordination with the Dorbar Shnong Shyntorbulia, with local residents involved in planning and hospitality.
According to the organisers, the festival aims to promote responsible tourism and support livelihood opportunities in the region. They said funds generated from the event will be directed towards infrastructure, eco-facility development and assistance for marginal farmers. Local authorities in Ri-Bhoi district have extended support for the event.
The Rongjeng Welfare Foundation, which is coordinating the festival, works on community-led development and cultural preservation initiatives in the Northeast.
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