Shillong, Nov 11 (PTI) 'Nongkrem', an indigenous Thanksgiving festival of Meghalaya's Khasi communities was held at Smit, two km from here, with traditional fanfare and gusto.

Dressed in traditional attire, young men and women from 'Hima Khyrim' (erstwhile independent Khasi state) and the common people danced to drum beats and the sounds of the windpipe 'Ka Tangmuri'.

The ritual dance featured young men with swords going round their women partners in rhythmic steps signifying protection of women by men.

Young unmarried girls in their finery, sporting gold and silver crowns attached to flowers, danced gracefully in a circle as foreign tourists captured the scene on their movie cameras and people thronged the ground as the five-day festival came to an end today.

An important part of the festival is 'Pomblang' or offering of goats to the 'Syiem' (king) of 'Khyrim' (state).

The high point of the festival is the offering of Thanksgiving prayer at midnight by the 'Syiem' for good harvest and invoking God's blessings for his people.

All state government establishments in East Khasi Hills district remained closed on the occasion.