Guwahati: In a remarkable feat, central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district made headlines on January 21 by setting a new world record for the longest line of people walking on stilts. Seven hundred twenty-one men participated in the event, surpassing the previous benchmark of 250 individuals. The official adjudicator from the Guinness Book of World Records, Rishi Nath, presented a certificate to Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), the organiser of the event.
The record-breaking line stretched an impressive 2 kilometres, with participants showcasing their stilt-walking skills for 10 minutes. Commending the achievement, Tuliram Ronghang expressed his delight, stating, “Congratulations! Karbi Anglong! We made it! We broke the existing record of the longest moving line of people walking on stilts! The previous record was 250; today, a new record is made with 721.”
This extraordinary event occurred at the 50th Karbi Youth Festival in Diphu in collaboration with the Karbi Cultural Society. Ronghang emphasised the significance of taking their traditional sport, Kang Dong Dang, to the global stage. The stilt walkers, well-versed in this traditional Karbi community sport, raced on stilts made from bamboo.
Dilip Kathar, the central committee member of the Karbi Cultural Society, highlighted the uniqueness of the achievement, stating, “There was no such record. The earlier stilt-walking record was by a group of 956 people in Sweden but not in one single line.”
Breaking barriers and showcasing their cultural prowess, Karbi Anglong has secured a place in the Guinness World Records and taken their traditional sport to new heights on the global stage. This extraordinary accomplishment marks a momentous occasion for the community and signifies their dedication to preserving and celebrating their rich cultural heritage.
