Shillong, November 13: The Mawkynrew Sohphlang Eco-Cultural Indigenous Society will organise the Sohphlang Festival on December 12, 2026, at Madan Rapleng, located at the foot of Rapleng Hill in Mawkynrew Block.

The festival aims to promote sohphlang and local agriculture while providing farmers with a platform to sell their produce directly to visitors.

Announcing the event at a press conference at New Hope Restaurant on Friday, the society’s adviser, Carmel Lyngdoh, said the programme would feature traditional music, performances by local bands, including Thunder Cave, and various games.

Society president Pynbianglang Kshiar said the festival would showcase local agricultural produce, handicrafts and traditional food items, including Cake Krai. Visitors will also get an opportunity to sample sohphlang and black sesame.

An exhibition competition will be organised for local residents, while farmers will be able to sell vegetables and other agricultural products at a market set up on the festival grounds.

Pynsngewtynnad Rynjah said the talent competition would be open to young people from across the Khasi Hills. The registration fee for participants will be ₹300.

The society said the price of sohphlang had increased since it began organising the festival, helping farmers earn better returns from their produce.

The organisers have also approached several government departments for assistance and are continuing preparations for the event while awaiting a funding commitment from the government.