The Nongkrem Dance or Shad Nongkrem is held annually in November and lasts for five days.During three consecutive nights in the five day festival prayers are offered to Ka Pah Syntiew and U Suid Nia Tong Syiem for a good harvest, peace and prosperity of all people.On the fourth day a dance is performed by young Khasi men and virgin women, dressed in their traditional costumes and heavy gold ornaments in front of the Iing Sad (central House).

The women dance in the centre called ‘Ka Shad Kynthei’ with tiny steps that the lifting of the feet is hardly seen. Their arms are held at the sides and thier eyes are solemnly cast down to show modesty and obedience. The silver or gold crowns that they wear signify the glory and dignity of the Khasi matrilineal society. The ‘Tiew Lasubon’ (a rare sweet scented golden coloured flower found only in the deep jungles),worn on the crown indicates the purity of women.They wear the finest silver and gold chains, bracelets and earrings during this festival.

When the daughters of the royal family come out to dance umbrellas are used to cover the heads of the princesses.The dance performed by the men is called , ‘Ka Shad Mastieh’. They dance around the south side of the circle holding sword on their right hand and whisks in their left. The sword symbolises the man’s defence of himself,his house, his wife, his children and his mother, and, the whisk his care and sound advice. The men wear dhothis full sleeved shirts and embroided sleeveless coats and turbans. The all dance to the music of the ‘Tangmuri’(pipes) and drums.

As people come from all over the State of Khyrim, little markets spring up in the field outside the Ingsad Compound, and this adds to the revelry.